Review: A Chance for Kallie Mae by Ann H. Gabhart

On May 19, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review4 Comments

About the Book (from the author’s website)

Series: Stand Alone Novels
Genre: Historical Novels
Publisher: Revell
Publication Year: May 2026
ASIN: 0800746279
ISBN: 9780800746278

Since childhood, Kallie Mae Bertram has clung to two simple wishes—to unlock the world of reading and to build a life with Quinn Spencer. Will family duty make her risk everything for love?

My Thoughts

The realistic Appalachian setting in this novel and the fact that Kallie Mae really wanted to be literate touched my heart from the beginning. She had given up her chance at an education when her baby sister Emmie was born and her mom died after her birth. Kallie Mae was a child herself, raising another child as per her mom’s dying wish. Her father is a hard man who is bitter against life and who does not make it easy for his children to get an education. Kallie Mae is determined that little Emmie will learn her letters and numbers so sends her to the local country school. The theme of bullying and lack of acceptance was prevalent for both of Kallie Mae’s siblings. There was also a theme of a love story that never got to take root because the boy she loved with all her heart was from a neighborhood family against whom her father had a grudge. So in spite of the fact that Kallie Mae is a grown young woman and Quinn is more than ready to court her and marry her, her dad, Lije Bertram, presents one obstacle after another, blackmailing Kallie Mae into giving up her love for Quinn. The theme of the importance of family and an education are also important parts of the story. The tale of the Moonlight Schools where Kallie Mae and Quinn could go to learn was well researched and a riveting part of the story. I enjoyed the well-crafted and complex plot, with a lot of characters playing important roles in Kallie Mae’s choices. All of the characters were well-developed, and I felt as though I got to know Kallie Mae and sympathized with her yearning to have a family of her own as well as an education. I especially liked how the author presented the feud between the families and used it as a springboard to teach a lesson about forgiveness. This book and the characters are memorable and would lend itself to a great book club discussion.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I also preordered my own copy since the author is a favorite of mine and always presents stories that are thought-provoking and compassionate. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Ann H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she’s published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers’ Choice Women’s Fiction Book of the Year.

Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. See more about her books at www.annhgabhart.com or join the conversation on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/anngabhart (from Amazon’s author page)

Purchase Links

Review of ALL BOOKED UP by Melody Carlson

On March 19, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review4 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800747251

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:03/17/2026

Pages:272

Widowed empty nester Riva Owen lives in the Victorian house that’s been in her family for three generations, but finances have become a challenge she can no longer ignore. Her daughter is pushing her to move, and after considering all her options, Riva knows selling would be the smartest course. But she just can’t bring herself to leave decades of memories—and her cherished library filled with hundreds of books.

When she pursues an alternative—opening her home to women like her who need a room to rent—Riva is unprepared for the mix of personalities and peculiarities of her new housemates. She is even more unprepared for Marcus, the handsome and handy older brother of one of her new tenants. The possibility of finding love again feels overwhelming, even as her tenants seem to have romantic schemes of their own.

My Thoughts

The story of four women who join together to live in widow Riva’s house is one that kept me engaged. I laughed as they partied together, teared up when they talked together about their past losses and in general, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Riva doesn’t have the money to keep her house now that she is a widow, so she follows the advice of a new woman she meets and decides to rent out rooms. She doesn’t want to sell her home because of the library that has a collection of all of her books and well as her husband’s books. Riva chooses, interviews and accepts four women to come and live in her home. The story unfolds as conflicts erupt between some of the women and Riva, as the homeowner, has to act as a mediator as well as the one who reminds each of the women of the rules. I loved Riva’s plan to have each woman read a book and then discuss it. Her choices of books for each tenant is nothing short of brilliant, showing her ability to understand what made each woman tick. I also enjoyed the character Marcus, a brother of one of the tenants named Windy, and a widower who must be very handsome since more than one of the women in the house is attracted to him. That sub-plot is a central part of a lot of the story. The real center of the story is forming friendships, being vulnerable and honest with friends, and learning to move into an uncertain future while leaving the past behind. This is a faith-centered book with lots of heart and truth in it. It captivated my attention right away since all of the main characters are older and entering the part of life where there is a lot of unexpected and sometimes scary change. That made the book so realistic and helped me to identify with the flaws of the characters. This is a quick and engaging read, with lots to love and book discussions that added to my interest in continuing to read. This book deserves more than five stars for being so relatable and such a heart-felt story of women who find strength that they didn’t know they had.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

Purchase Links

Review: RAGING WATERS by Dana Mentink

On March 4, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800746537

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:03/03/2026

Series:Elements of Danger , #2

Pages:336

Synopsis (from Barnes and Noble)

When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.

While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.

As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.

My Thoughts

Wow! This book kept my heart pumping wildly and my pulse pounding, too, as I read about all the danger that Mackenzie and Gideon faced as they try to survive waters rising and a drug dealer with his henchmen. Mackenzie (called Zee) is determined to get revenge for her brother Aaron’s death, so she is trying to find the head of the drug cartel that lives in the small town where Gideon, Aaron’s good friend, has a wilderness survival school. The adventure begins from the first page and their harrowing escapes from one threat after another continues throughout the story. The story was original, creative and terrifyingly realistic as the flood waters rose at the same time that the drug dealer’s lackeys got closer to finding them and killing them. The themes of the story include a quest for revenge, an issue with trust, the help of friends and letting go of the past to move into an uncertain future. I loved every minute I spent whirling and twirling in the “raging waters” with Zee and Gid, and I really enjoyed meeting the secondary characters who contributed so much to the central story. This is a book that was suspense-filled with escalating tension and a tightly written plot. With some jaw-dropping twists in the mix, this novel kept me guessing and shaking my head as I wondered what was going to happen next. The drama is believable as are the characters and I enjoyed the exploration of the emotional depth one suffers after the unexpected death of a loved one. This is a fascinating thrill ride to a deftly crafted and insightful conclusion. I would highly recommend this page turner to anyone whose heart is strong enough to withstand the propulsive pace and who enjoys a thought-provoking inclusion of faith as a firm foundation to an unforgettable story.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian fiction, Rated PG for intense suspense

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 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author as well as a two time ACFW Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion recipient. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell, and Poisoned Pen Press. For more information about Dana and her books, you should check out her website at Dana Mentink.com

Purchase Links

bit.ly/4tsjIGN (Baker Book House)

amzn.to/4qvxg1m (AMZ)

bit.ly/4tqQAiV (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/4kx48FH (Books-a-Million)

bit.ly/4afIT7W (Christian Book)

bit.ly/4aQ2pab (Google Play Store)

adbl.co/4kzqvKA (Audible)

Sending deep appreciation to Revell, Netgalley and author Dana Mentink for the advanced reader copy to enjoy.

Review of LAST TO FALL by Lynn H. Blackburn

On March 3, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:9780800745387

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:03/03/2026

Series:Gossamer Falls , #3

Pages:368

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

Running The Haven resort keeps Bronwyn Pierce busy enough without dealing with a hitman targeting her life and family members framing her for blackmail. The only person who can help is Mo Quinn, her first love and the man she hasn’t spoken to in two years. As attacks escalate and evidence mounts against her, these childhood sweethearts must break their silence and rebuild trust before it’s too late.

My Thoughts

The stunning conclusion to the outstanding Gossamer Falls series was all I could have hoped for and more! From the beginning, Mo and Bronwyn were mysterious characters, talking to everyone else and around each other. In this novel, we find out why they haven’t been speaking and a lot of the backstory behind Bronwyn’s mistrust and dislike of her own family members. Bronwyn is independent and capable, the CEO of her family’s luxurious resort, The Haven. When she thinks she is in danger, she seeks help from the Quinns, the family that her Pierce family despises and ostracizes. The Quinns offer advice, protection and more, especially when Mo, a forensic accountant, offers to check the books for her and find out if there is anything illegal going on. The plot is compelling and intricate, with lots of little must-know details that kept me engaged and guessing. I enjoyed seeing all of the characters from the previous books actively engaged in solving Bronwyn’s dilemma since this gave me snapshots of what has been happening in the lives of the others since the last novel. I thought that the action was gripping and addictive. The suspense continued to escalate as the danger got closer to Bronwyn, and the author did a magnificent job of breaking the tension at times with some laugh-out-loud banter between the characters. Under the surface of all of the mystery and suspense, there is a sparkling romance brewing, one that I was delighted to read about between such appealing characters. The suspense was addictive and the romance refreshing in this well-crafted and intriguing story. I loved every minute that I spent with the Quinns and Bronwyn and was thrilled to find out that they will be a small part of the next series as well. No fan of romantic suspense will want to miss out on this clever novel that balances action with romance in such a brilliantly captivating way!
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and also purchased my own copy to keep. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Clean Christian Fiction, Rated PG for intense suspense

About the Author

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat, Malicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy southern 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 by putting them into terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home in her pajamas! She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at www.lynnhblackburn.com

Purchase Links

bit.ly/4qm5Jj5 (Baker Book House)

bit.ly/4q3TqIM (Christian Book)

amzn.to/3NqLB15 (Amazon)

bit.ly/3N1VYbJ (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/4qzPy1Z (Kobo)

bit.ly/4aZcraH (Google Play Store)

bit.ly/3Ylv1SE (Target)

apple.co/3YRus35 (Apple Books)

adbl.co/4jpRbNi (Audible)

Books in the Gossamer Falls Series

With heartfelt appreciation to the author, Revell and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review. One of my top books for the year and one of my top series ever!

Review of GIRL LOST by Kate Angelo

On September 27, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800746636

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:09/23/2025

Series:The King Legacy , #1

Pages:336

A LOST BABY
Luna Rosati found acceptance and comfort with her childhood foster family, but when she became pregnant at sixteen, she gave the baby up for adoption and left without a word. Now a CIA counterintelligence officer, Luna wants to reconcile her fractured sense of self by finding the only blood family she has—the teenage daughter she’s never met. As Luna closes in on learning the girl’s identity with the help of her mentor, Stryker, she prepares to meet him in her old neighborhood—the last place she wants to be. Then Stryker is captured.   

AN INESCAPABLE PAST
Special Agent Corbin King changed his last name to escape the shadow of his convicted father serving a life sentence. When he runs into Luna, the object of his failed teenage romance, the two must put their pasts aside and work together to expose a secret that someone’s willing to kill for.

A DEADLY THREAT
But when they encounter a kidnapping, missing bodies, and murder, the secrets Corbin and Luna are keeping from one another are only the beginning of the threat they face with more than their own lives at stake.

My Thoughts

This is a haunting story of a group of young adults who share a mentor and a common past and who are trying to find out what happened to Stryker when he is suddenly kidnapped from a local street. The pasts of each of them is connected to Stryker and his MMA gym where he takes troubled and discarded youth and trains them to be independent and law-abiding. Luna has returned to town to find out information about the daughter that she gave up for adoption, but before she can contact Stryker, he is taken. Luna then joins forces with Corbin, a member of the Federal Law Enforcement agency who is looking for a missing teen for his boss. The story is complex, with a lot of surprises and unexpected twists that were head-spinning at times. There are multiple layers to the story, too, including relationships that failed and promises that were broken. The most important parts of the story are in the secrets that are revealed as the story progresses. In searching for Stryker, Luna, Corbin and other former students of the gym find an evil that they were not prepared for and some really strange uses of medical technology. This story was fascinating, realistic and well researched. I was quickly drawn into the plot and the intersecting lives of the characters. I felt so much sympathy for Luna and her desperation to find out information about her daughter. The fast-paced plot was compelling and made the book hard to put down. The book was cleverly written, edgy and a satisfying page-turner. I certainly hope to read more about the King family in the future and look forward to more intense intrigue and a tightly written plot with gritty and believable drama.
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.

Rated PG-16, Trigger Warnings: Human Trafficking and Violence

About the Author

Kate Angelo is an award-winning, bestselling Romantic Suspense author, minister, and public speaker from Southwest Missouri who serves alongside her husband championing stronger marriages and families through their nonprofit.

Her career began in IT as a web developer, programmer, and usability expert, but she left the corporate world to pursue full-time ministry work. Following her passion for story, Kate began writing fiction in 2019. Her 2022 debut novel, Driving Force, is an Amazon Top 100 bestseller written in the storyworld of Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardians series and published by Sunrise Publishing. In 2022, Harlequin selected Kate in the Great Love Inspired Author Search for her novel, Hunting the Witness, a 2023 Publishers Weekly Bestseller. In 2024, Kate received a Selah Award for her novella, Deadly Holiday Hijack.

As Mom to 5 adult children, she’s fluent in both sarcasm and eye rolls. Kate is a coffee aficionado, tech enthusiast, productivity guru, prayer warrior, dog lover, and known klutz—just ask her doctor. Having aged out of foster care, Kate brings a unique perspective to her writing, breathing life into flawed characters who find hope and healing amidst danger. Subscribe to her newsletter learn about her and that pet lion thing at kateangelo.com.

Purchase Links

Review: THE BITTER END BIRDING SOCIETY by Amanda Cox

On August 19, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt prepare for retirement. A town called Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she’s desperate for respite from the attention and unwarranted admiration of her community. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers takes her under their wing—a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.

But when Ana’s adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree—one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner’s daughter and a preacher’s son—what began as a getaway to help her great-aunt becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.

Book Details

ISBN-13:9780800746612 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:08/19/2025 Pages:336

My Thoughts

This story was completely engrossing, with a plot that presented an extremely powerful story of estranged family members and individuals with pasts that needed to be overcome before they could move forward to a more promising future. Ana is a kindergarten teacher who had a terrible encounter with evil that has kept her from thinking that she can ever again be an effective teacher. Ana takes the opportunity to escape her current reality to go to a small town where her Aunt Cora lives. Cora has asked Ana to come help her pack up and get ready to move into a new home, and Ana is happy to be able to help someone as well as to hopefully escape her memories of the past. Once in Bitter End, Ana meets up with a rag-tag bunch of people who form the local birding society under the leadership of her Aunt Marilyn. The relationships between the people in this group form the foundation of the story as they explore not only the woods and record the birds that they see, but they also explore their own feelings of inadequacy and support each other in being willing to step out into an unknown future. I think that this book was a delight to read and I got invested in the lives of each character, my favorite one being Sam, the shepherd who is like a lost sheep himself. I loved the multi-generational element of the story, with its dual timeline and backstory about characters who aren’t present physically but who affect the current stories of the characters in imaginative ways. The rich, descriptive details of the setting and the birds that the group discover gave the story a high sense of believability as well as forming a wonderful setting for the intricate plot threads that were so well woven together. Infused with spiritual truth and enriched with authentic details, the entire book was a pleasure to read and I was sad to see it end although the conclusion was more than satisfactory. It was a heart-warming and thought-provoking story that everyone who is questioning a past choice or decision needs to read.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy since I collect the books by this author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Contemporary Fiction, Rated PG

Purchase Links

bit.ly/4kVJJtq (Baker Book House)

bit.ly/45Z9gNu (Christian Book)

bit.ly/3FKtEHF (Barnes and Noble)

amzn.to/40PTocT (AMZ)

bit.ly/3JjFZDM (Target)

https://adbl.co/47iQRMd (Audible)

**With appreciation to Revell Fiction and Baker Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book!**

Review: Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard

On July 16, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800746155 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:07/15/2025 Series:Hidden Bay , #2 Pages:352

Three years after her mother’s suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder—and becomes a target.

More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect her—none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother’s death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.

As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide before the truth can be revealed.

My Thoughts

Forensic artist Jo Catrell has been in hiding since her mother’s sudden death. Now her biological father whom she calls “Pops” has warned her that she needs to disappear again, leaving Hidden Bay behind and finding a new place to hide. In her quest to find her dad and talk to him about her situation and why she is in danger, she immerses herself into even more danger when she witnesses a murder. Targeted and running from an unknown assailant, Jo is surprised that the man who teams up with her is her former boyfriend, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. When Cole disappeared from her life before, she never expected to see him again, but there he is, just in the nick of time and rescuing her from certain death. The danger is real, the secrets are buried deep, and together Jo and Cole set out to discover who wants her dead and why. The plot is complex, a web of lies and deceit that carried me along on the waves of total entertainment as I got wrapped up in riding that wave to the truth. I enjoyed the interactions between Cole and Jo as they discover a second chance at love, if she can just survive. The plot held me completely captivated as one layer after another about the past that killed Jo’s mom is exposed, with some surprising and tantalizing twists. This book kept me engaged in the story, cheering for the characters and really wanting to know who the villains were and what in the world they could want with a forensic artist who was totally ignorant of her past roots and the troubles that her parents unknowingly led to her safe place in Hidden Bay. The scene is perfect for the encroaching threats, with a wild and stormy sea along with a threatening storm all around Jo. The tone was one of intense danger and the need to know before her ignorance gets her killed. I especially enjoyed the characters from Storm Warning appearing in this book to offer assistance to Jo and Cole. It was good to read more about Remi and Hawk and the progression of their relationship. This book is compelling suspense, taut and unpredictable, but also enticing as the clues were laid out methodically by the hand of a master storyteller. With crisp writing, escalating tension and high drama, this book hooked me with the believable characters and the creeping dread that seemed to follow Jo everywhere. Perilous Tides can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the series in order and really enjoying the rich, descriptive details of Hidden Bay.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Fiction with Intense Suspense, Rated PG

About the Author

Elizabeth Goddard is the PW, ECPA, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and two-time Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at https://elizabethgoddard.com/

Purchase Links

bit.ly/3HUt5M2 (Baker Book House)

bit.ly/40NSayD (Christian Book)

bit.ly/4nHA0Z8 (Amazon)

bit.ly/44mPdr7 (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/4eHPZm8 (Target)

bit.ly/4li9Fzl (Books-a-Million)

bit.ly/4kGkTNe (Audible)

Review of FIRE MOUNTAIN by Dana Mentink

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

About the Book

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

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

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

More Details

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

My Thoughts

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

Christian Fiction with Intense Suspense, Rated PG-13

About the Author

Dana writes in two genres, cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s a USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon bestselling author as well as a two time ACFW Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion recipient. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell, and Poisoned Pen Press

Purchase Links

bit.ly/3ToBtWt(Baker Book House)

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

bit.ly/3ZUq6cL (Target)

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

bit.ly/3HFO2Ky(Christian Book)

bit.ly/4e4AcgU (Barnes and Noble)

adbl.co/4lcywEt (Audible)

REVIEW of BREAK MY FALL by Lynn H. Blackburn

On March 21, 2025 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book

ISBN: 978-0800745370

PAGE COUNT: 352

SERIES: GOSSAMER FALLS, BOOK #2

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she’s back home, she’s made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But with Meredith in his life, he feels his walls crumbling, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild.

Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

My Thoughts

This novel is a book that I couldn’t read fast enough but at the same time, I really didn’t want it to end. The story of dentist Meredith and sheriff Gray is absorbing and complicated since they are both stubborn, opinionated and independent. Meredith has somehow put herself into the crosshairs of a local crime boss and Gray is determined to keep her safe, in spite of her foolhardiness that leads her right into danger. I loved the family dynamics, especially how Mo and Cal rallied around Meredith to protect her and how her family had to approve of Gray as a possible suitor for her. The time around the fire pit was filled with humor as well as revelations and a great way to develop the characters. The plot was fast-paced, with a lot of switchbacks and plenty of unexpected surprises along the way. I liked how the characters were able to banter with each other to keep their spirits up even in the face of imminent danger. With danger from every direction and romance that was budding and sure to bloom, this book was a real winner for me in the romantic suspense category. With plenty of intrigue, heart and hope, this novel had a compelling mystery and a captivating cast of characters.
Disclaimer
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.

Christian Fiction, Intense Suspense, Rated PG

About the Author

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat, Malicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy southern 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 by putting them into terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home in her pajamas! She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at http://www.lynnhblackburn.com.

Purchase Links

With deep appreciation to Revell Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review and to the author for a book worthy of my time to read!

Review of SHATTERED SANCTUARY by Nancy Mehl

On March 18, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Review6 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780764243363

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:03/18/2025

Series:The Erin Delaney Mysteries , #1

Pages:336

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin’s intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer’s motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

My Thoughts

Sanctuary, Tennessee, should be an idyllic place to escape from stress and to just spend time with a friend, or that is what former police officer Erin Delaney expects when she decides to spend a week with her friend and phone counselor Kaely Quinn. Quinn, a former FBI profiler, sets up the plans for the trip and convinces Erin to leave the safety of her apartment and travel to the mountains to spend a week talking and shopping, just relaxing basically. Plans went awry quickly when Erin is called to a murder scene the first night that she is there. A young woman has been killed and the signs immediately point to a serial killer. Erin feels useful since she can use her skills as a former police officer as well as her current knowledge as an author of a best-selling murder mystery. But nothing prepares her for the evil that lurks around the small town of Sanctuary as she and Kaely have to use all of their skill to try to catch a killer before they become the target. Filled with red herrings and lots of clues to follow, this book has the signature style of a master author who knows well how to captivate her audience and keep us all reading. The tension in the story is relentless as a blizzard threatens, a young woman is missing and the town is at the mercy of an unknown killer. With clever twists that are satisfying and edgy and a brilliantly complex plot, this book captured my imagination, making it so that I could not turn the pages fast enough or get enough of this book. With an intriguing plot and relatable characters, this is a fast-paced thrill ride into the heart of a killer storm and the murderer who waits in it for his next victim.
Disclaimer: 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.

About the Author

Nancy Mehl is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband. To learn more, visit NancyMehl.com.

Purchase Links

amzn.to/4iNecIq (Amazon)

bit.ly/3RbDuEk (Christian Book)

bit.ly/3RarK4X (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/41QuQQP (Target)

bit.ly/43KZsWb (Baker Book House)

bit.ly/4kTlUTd (Powell’s Books)

bit.ly/3FylkKr (KOBO)

bit.ly/41xHHXS (Books-a-Million)

adbl.co/3FwmMgu (Audible)

With appreciation to Baker Publishing Group, Revell Fiction and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review. And with heartfelt thanks to author Nancy Mehl for the hard copy she sent me along with a keepsake bookmark that I will treasure forever.

Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner

Tag: Revell

Review: RAGING WATERS by Dana Mentink

About the Book

Synopsis (from Barnes and Noble)

My Thoughts

About the Author

Purchase Links

REVIEW of BREAK MY FALL by Lynn H. Blackburn

About the Book

ISBN: 978-0800745370

PAGE COUNT: 352

SERIES: GOSSAMER FALLS, BOOK #2

My Thoughts

About the Author

Purchase Links

With deep appreciation to Revell Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review and to the author for a book worthy of my time to read!

Review of SHATTERED SANCTUARY by Nancy Mehl

About the Book

My Thoughts

About the Author

Purchase Links

With appreciation to Baker Publishing Group, Revell Fiction and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review. And with heartfelt thanks to author Nancy Mehl for the hard copy she sent me along with a keepsake bookmark that I will treasure forever.