Mini Book Reviews, edition 6

Welcome to another round of mini reviews! This is a bit of a “reading update”, with several of these titles part of my TBR-conquering reading challenge over on IG (#backlistbooks23).

Per usual, please visit the Goodreads links in each title to learn more about each book!

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton | 1747 North Carolina Colony | Historical Fiction/Romance

Another fantastic early American story (by way of Scotland) from a fav author! Mercy in many forms is a big theme, as well as worth and survival. I love seeing how this ties into later Benton stories, having finally gone back now to read it. Alex and Joanna are wonderfully suited through their friendship and romantically, and the secondary characters are, at turns, fierce, endearing, compassionate, and villainous. Also a fantastic audiobook.

Love Practically (The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir #1) by Nichole Van | 1839 Scotland | Historical Romance

Love Practically is everything a marriage of convenience should be! In Nichole Van’s unmistakable style, a story of deep emotions and romance unfolds against a lush Scottish backdrop with an immersive countryside setting.

Mr. DANDY, the hilarious cat, is a fantastic character of his own!!! I love how little Madeline chases after him.

Leah is a faceted and deeply caring heroine, and I love seeing her take a chance on a different life. Fox is a cinnamon. roll. of a hero. He’s soft on the inside, if a bit practical and bitter outwardly. His relationship with Leah helps him to recognize the weight and strife he’s fed in his own heart and to overcome. I really love that they’re both in their late 30s (a little older for a Regency era histfic).

At the moment in the story where Fox takes an action akin to a grand gesture, it is a heart-melting moment of tenderness and care he demonstrates for Leah, whose role up until that point has been caretaker extraordinaire of many things. It’s a small moment, but it hit me with all the feels and is a great example of a hero recognizing exactly how to show his love for a heroine in a way that will most impact her heart.

Adjacent But Only Just (The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir #2) by Nichole Van | 1844 Scotland | Historical Romance

Adjacent But Only Just might be a different kind of title, but it absolutely fits the poetic and writerly elements of the story! Things of note:

-LOVED continuing with the Penn-Leiths in their story world

-Ethan is charming; Malcolm is steady, thoughtful, & my type 🙂

-Viola! Fierce, determined, lovely. I love how she’s discerning & sees character beyond the surface of everyone, especially the hero

-Return of familiar favs from the Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series!

-Humor, cows (coos), rather profound thoughts on grief, a lovely swing, and a melting & quite memorable first kiss scene

-I didn’t like 1 deceptive element of the storyline (true feelings withheld from a key character) but I can see mechanically how earlier honesty would’ve impeded the complexity of the conflict.

First to Fall (Lost Story Bookshop #2) by Jenny B. Jones | “Sugar Creek”, Arkansas | Contemporary Romantic Comedy

First to Fall is a hilarious, witty romcom that’s self-aware of its many romance tropes, including enemies to lovers and, my fav, marriage of convenience. The leads have snarky banter and grudging hostility which leads to believable off-the-charts chemistry (and some great romantic kissy moments). At its heart is a tender story of risking spontaneity and rejection to find hope and acceptance. The Arkansas setting is transportive and wonderfully shown, in the mentions of the Ozark seasons and in the fictional “Sugar Creek” which nods to the idyllic northwest region I happen to call home.

Facing the Enemy (Roxbury Heirs #1) by Paige Edwards | Scotland | Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Things of note! :

-MI6 + modern aristocracy, and a great UK setting (I have a new Scottish bucket list destination: Tay Forest Park)

-second chance romance + single parent hero

-I like the friendship and understanding between Harry and Elise, especially the way he values her strengths

-later half has interesting survival and high stakes action sequences

Have you read any of these stories? What have you checked off your TBR list lately?

Review: “Dangerous Beauty” by Melissa Koslin

Thanks for stopping by to read my review of Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin, a thrilling new romantic suspense standalone story that combines action, a great twist, and a marriage of convenience.

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She’s not a victim, she’s a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she’s determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can’t stay safely over the border in America–unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

Melissa Koslin throws you right into the middle of the action in this high-stakes thriller that poses the question: What is the price of freedom?

Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin is a story that delivers in the suspense and romantic drama genres, with moments of action balanced with great depth when an impulsive marriage of convenience (!!!) grows into a situation involving secrets, risk, trust, and emotional healing — with a story twist, of course!

I thought it clever that the reader gets Liliana’s POV mostly at first, letting the mystery of Meric, his unknown business activities, and other secrets uncover slowly along with her learning of each circumstance. The reader will gradually sense his involvement in something bigger and the danger surrounding it. While the subject matter of human trafficking is a sad reality, Koslin handles its portrayal with a balance of sorrow and hopefulness in the form of the people stepping in to stop its cycle.

Liliana is an admirable and smart heroine, and I was instantly in her corner. I appreciate how she grows throughout the story, overcoming much while facing some harrowing truths. Meric hides behind an enigmatic, cold exterior, but underneath is a vulnerable and fiercely protective hero whose own past motivates his work for good. His championing of Liliana and her strengths from the very beginning had me falling for his tortured heart right along with her :).

Fans of Susan May Warren and Dani Pettrey will enjoy Koslin’s captivating writing style — this is the first book of hers I’ve read, but it won’t be the last!

Thank you to Revell Reads for the copy of this novel. This is my honest review.

Review: “The Red Ribbon” by Pepper Basham

I’m happy to be sharing a review today of a book by one of my very favorite authors: The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham. It is part of an ongoing “True Colors” series by publisher Barbour Books, featuring a different author for each standalone novel centered on a true story of American crime blended with a romance.

An Appalachian Feud Blows Up in 1912

Step into True Colors — a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

In Carroll County, a corn shucking is the social event of the season, until a mischievous kiss leads to one of the biggest tragedies in Virginia history. Ava Burcham isn’t your typical Blue Ridge Mountain girl. She has a bad habit of courtin’ trouble, and her curiosity has opened a rift in the middle of a feud between politicians and would-be outlaws, the Allen family. Ava’s tenacious desire to find a story worth reporting may land her and her best friend, Jeremiah Sutphin, into more trouble than either of them planned.

​The end result? The Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912.

Goodreads | Amazon

Endearing characters (with a wonderfully sweet romance) are witness to real-life historical events The Red Ribbon, a brisk-paced, suspenseful look at history and culture in early 1900s Appalachia. Author Pepper Basham is her element with this enthralling tale, crafting a sweet interpretation of her signature romance skillfully blended with the drama of the year and customs of the mountain folk.

Basham has established herself with previous stories of historical romance with a dramatic flair and sweet contemporary romcoms. With The Red Ribbon, she proves her mettle in another facet of the genre, with a bit of romantic suspense! Basham carefully threads a story centered on her fictional couple but filled with real-life figures. Her patient research and heritage of story combines with her characters to paint a tale that’s both compelling and a beacon for belonging, yet still leaving the right amount of questions as to the truths and instigators of the real events.

One of my favorite things about this story is seeing the Ava through the Jeremiah’s eyes. Her feistiness and ever-capable personality are the perfect compliment to his quiet and steady ways. He recognizes this, and champions her heart for storytelling in the sweetest ways. She, in turn, realizes the blessing and place of “home” he wants to provide in her life. Beginning-of-chapter quotes from “family members” of both hero and heroine are another aspect that makes me smile and adds a hint of humor and wisdom to the story.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Review: “Knox” by Susan May Warren (Montana Marshalls #1)

It’s been quiet lately in my little corner of the blogging world, but it is NOT for lack of good books! I have been reading some great stories and will be sharing more about them soon.

One novel I finished this week was the first in Susan May Warren’s new independently-published series: The “Montana Marshalls” series. Knox kicks off the family saga with a ‘gallop’ straight into action and drama with more stories to come.

He’s not looking for trouble…

Montana rancher Knox Marshall’s danger years are behind him. A former bull-rider, he now runs the Marshall family ranch, raising champion bucking bulls for the National Professional Bullrider’s Expo (NBR-X). Wealth and success are his, but life is stable, expected, and…ordinary.  But he wants more from life… 

But trouble is looking for her…

Kelsey Jones just wants a safe life, a family, a home. Onstage, the beautiful rising star of the Yankee Belles becomes the person she longs to be – vivacious and confident – burying the brokenness she carries from a violent assault. Becoming NBR-X’s next country act is key to outrunning her past and achieving the success and security she craves. 

When trouble finds them both…

Knox and Kelsey’s paths collide when an explosion at an NBR-X event traps them in the rubble and leaves them reeling. Kelsey’s crippling nightmares return, but for Knox, an obsession to find the bomber is ignited. 

What will it cost him to protect her? 

When Kelsey’s past threatens Knox’s family, he’ll have to choose between saving the Marshall legacy or becoming the protector he’s always longed to be. 

Goodreads | Amazon

Equal parts family drama, modern western, and romantic suspense, the first installment in Susan’s new Marshall Family series, Knox, sets the bar and the excitement level high for the rest of the series to come!

Susan May Warren always manages to perfectly balance story, character development, and strong themes all in a fast-paced package. In this case, action, ranching, and life as a rising country band combine with the steadiness of Knox and the strength of Kelsey; likable and supportive (in a friendship and brotherhood way) secondary characters; and themes of compassion and the steadfastness of God’s love.

I was thrilled to encounter cameos and mentions of some favorite characters from Susan’s previous series, some of which I know I still need to read! Also, the references to music, TV westerns, and pop culture (hello, Kevin Costner and Bodyguard) were wonderfully incorporated into the story and just plain fun.

Oh, and since Susan’s stories are all wonderfully connected and layered, the next book is set up well. With the way THIS ONE ENDS, I need Tate’s story NOW!

Thanks to Relz Author Support for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Review: “Wait For Me” by Susan May Warren – Montana Rescue #6

The “Montana Rescue” series:

• Approximately 16 main characters
• 6 novels and 1 novella
• A story that spans 5 years
• 3 continents
• Crazy yet realistic events like a car wreck, avalanche, hurricane, tornadoes, wildfires, deserted tropical islands, and generally crazy people

ONE EPIC ADVENTURE

Pete Brooks can’t believe he’s waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart by getting engaged to her ex-fiancé. Worse, a series of mistakes on the job have cost lives, and Pete isn’t sure he wants to continue to work in Search and Rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward. 

EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana to finally give her heart to Pete, but it seems he’s no longer interested. When a terrible fight between them sparks an impulsive decision, she finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with Esme Shaw. And just when she thinks things couldn’t get any worse, she and Esme are taken captive and into the untamed Montana wilderness—with murderous intent. 

Now Pete and the other PEAK Rescue Team members are in a race against time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man. Pete will have to use everything he’s learned to find Jess and Esme—and pray that his past mistakes don’t cost him the life of the woman he can’t stop loving.

Goodreads | Amazon

Wait for Me is the ultimate conclusion to one of the best romantic adventure series I’ve ever read! With the highest stakes and the much-anticipated climax of the series (both with the action/suspense plot and the romance), I read this as fast as possible because I had no clue what would happen next! The surprises were great. The romance perfectly developed and SWOONY. This story made my best-of-2018 list for good reason!

I was hooked from the very beginning. While Ty just might be my favorite hero of the series, Pete is who I was most invested in and I really wanted to see him get his happily ever after — especially after all the ups and downs he has experienced. Pete is such a tough guy but he wears his heart on his sleeve. Susan does her magic with words when it comes to his character development — he’s had the most growth and really exhibits the impact grace can have on a heart. (And wow, I had some tears when it came to a certain scene near the end and a memory of his dad.)

Now, let’s talk about Jess Tagg for a minute. She was both intriguing and frustrating through this whole series. In this novel, we finally get her real history and story. And it’s relatable. Raw. Her actions and choices, though frustrating at times, made sense. I could even, maybe, understand why she was conflicted over Pete. I really appreciated how she had to find herself and grow a little more, all in the middle of some really tense suspense situations.

Wait for Me is one of those stories I didn’t want to end, because that meant saying goodbye to a beloved cast of characters. But I was smiling when I finished the last page because the series is concluded in a perfect way, with the future of the characters full of hope.

Side note: Wait for Me shares a location (a surprising one, which I loved the whole aspect of!) with one in another favorite romantic suspense novel, The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann. I won’t spoil anything about either, but I have to say Pete Brooks gives Morgan Spencer a run for his money in a certain setting. If you’ve read both novels, I want to know your thoughts!!

Thank you to Revell Publishers for the copy of this novel. This is my honest review.

First Line Fridays # 20: “The Cost of Betrayal” Novella Collection

It’s time for a new edition of First Line Fridays hosted by the Hoarding Books blog!

Happy weekend! Today’s First Line Friday feature is an almost-released (new as of next Tuesday) novella collection by three well-known authors: The Cost of Betrayal romantic suspense novella collection by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason. This is a TBR title for me, one I think I will enjoy because I’m a fan of Dani and Lynette. I don’t think I’ve read anything be Dee just yet, but her books are highly read in the genre. Read on to see THREE first lines and share yours in the comments!

First Lines:

Betrayal by Dee Henderson

Ann Falcon eased toward the front of the crowd.

Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey

He waited, lurking against the buoy’s cold, rusty body, awaiting her.

Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason

“Get him to surgery, ASAP! OR number four.”

 

Your turn! Find the book closest to you and share your first line in the comments! Then, head over to Hoarding Books for the linky and visit other FLF posts!

First Line Fridays # 19: “When Fall Fades”

It’s time for a new edition of First Line Fridays hosted by the Hoarding Books blog!

It’s a special edition of First Line Fridays, featuring a book from an author you haven’t read yet! It was actually a bit of a challenge to pick a TBR book from a new-to-me-author because there are SO MANY books out there I want to read from authors I love or have recently discovered! (I’m seeing this as a really good thing.)

I picked When Fall Fades by Amy Leigh Simpson. It sounds like my cup of tea: romantic suspense. And, the reviews and praise I’ve been hearing from author and reader friends convinced me I need to read the whole series!

First Lines:

Chapter 1

This can’t be good. Pulling up to the scene and slipping behind his FBI agent mask, or rather an expression as impenetrable as Kevlar, Archer Hayes removed himself from his Suburban and set to the task at hand.

Your turn! Find the book closest to you and share your first line in the comments! Then, head over to Hoarding Books for the linky and visit other FLF posts!

Book Review: “Dead Drift” by Dani Pettrey

Today I’m getting to share my review of Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey — the whirlwind conclusion to the “Chesapeake Valor” series! This is the last book in a series following a special group of friends who happen to work in law enforcement at different investigative capacities. Though this book could be read alone, I highly recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of the character arcs and story events.

Book 1: Cold Shot | Book 2: Still Life | Book 3: Blind Spot

Private Investigator Kate Maxwell never stopped loving Luke Gallagher after he disappeared. Now he’s back, and together they must unravel a twisting thread of secrets, lies, and betrayal while on the brink of a biological disaster that will shake America to its core. Will they and their love survive, or will Luke and Kate become the terrorist’s next target?

Goodreads | Amazon

Dead Drift is romantic suspense at its best. All I have to say: FINALLY! I was highly anticipating this story, largely due to the investment I had in these characters and mystery after three previous books. This final installment was everything I wanted it to be: pulse-pounding ACTION, puzzles to solve, situations to escape, friendships that bring all the emotion and a romantic relationship built on history and attraction.

Readers of the whole series will be happy with the occasional perspectives of earlier lead characters and TWO serious plot lines — one involving a terrorist threat and Luke and another seeking to resolve a murder mystery important to Griffin. My favorite parts of this series, other than seeing the dynamic of this team, were the long-awaiting wrap up of ongoing plot threads and the romance between Luke and Katie. For Luke to not have been “on the scene” much in previous books, I still instantly liked him because of the way the rest of the team considered him. He had a LOT to go through in this story, seeking forgiveness being a big part of it, but his integrity and determination proved admirable — and the story was all the better for it.

Thank you to Bethany House for the review copy. This is my honest and unsolicited review.

Review: “Blind Spot” by Dani Pettrey (Chesapeake Valor #3)

Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey is the latest installment in the “Chesapeake Valor” series following a law enforcement friend-group as they solve crimes, deepen friendships, and find romance along the way. This is romantic suspense at its best, with mysteries, ACTION, and plenty of surprising twists!

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life–but isn’t sure exactly what he’s chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that “the wrath is coming,” Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She’s sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there’s anyone who can help him, it’s Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can’t deny, and she’s pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell–and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming “wrath” that could cost thousands their lives.

The series thus far…

Blind Spot continues the mystery of the Chesapeake Valor series, heightening the suspense and deepening the layers of secrets along the way. I think this series is best read in order because it carries forward an ongoing mystery that has to do with a friend and missing person, AND because it continues a terrorism/human trafficking story line that started in book 2.

I am continually impressed with Dani Pettrey’s ability to present a tangled puzzle of clues and hints and solve it a little at a time through the eyes of the characters. With edge-of-your-seat action, this is one book I didn’t want to put down for long! This book has two main threads of riveting mysteries, having Declan and Tanner focus on the terrorism storyline and familiar characters from the previous books (Griffin, Finley, Parker, and Avery) investigating an embezzling scheme that takes a few surprising twists.

While the intertwining investigations are fascinating, I was just as riveted with the puzzle that is Declan and Tanner’s relationship. Having previously “met” these two in the series, finally seeing their perspectives and growing mutual attraction firsthand was a treat. Amidst the action of this story, a wonderful relationship dynamic unfolds between these two as they learn from each other and reveal the secrets of their past (in particular, something I did NOT see coming from Tanner!). This romance, much like the personal faith thread of these characters, is naturally portrayed and serves as an anchor point in all of the drama and motion of the story.

One more thing I’ve really loved about this series as a whole is the differing roles/perspectives each main character has played in “investigating”: in Cold Shot, a park-ranger-turned-detective and a forensic anthropoligist; in Still Life, a crime scene analyst and a photographer; and now, book 3, an FBI agent and FBI crisis counselor.  I CANNOT WAIT for book 4, Dead Drift….like I need it now. I have a feeling it will be quite the interesting “Jason Bourne-esque” 🙂 thrill ride!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary review copy. This is my honest review.

 

 

Book Review: “Still Life” by Dani Pettrey

This review is all about book #2 in Dani Pettrey’s “Chesapeake Valor” series, Still Life. It is a contemporary romantic suspense story continuing to focus on a group of crime-solving and law enforcement friends in the Baltimore area. This time, we get to witness crime scene investigator Parker Mitchell and professional photographer Avery Tate as they are thrown back together to solve a potential crime and confront their growing mutual attraction.

Work hits too close to home for crime scene photographer Avery Tate when her best friend disappears. The only lead is a chilling photo of her–apparently dead. As Avery, her boss Parker, and his friends dig into the case, she’s forced to confront her feelings for Parker when they come face-to-face with a dangerous criminal.

This novel is another GREAT work of romantic suspense from Dani. It’s action-packed and suspenseful, in the page-turning kind of way, the perfect blend of crime drama and slight thriller with a hint of romance.

Book 1, Cold Shot, introduced us to this group of best friends with various accomplishments and roles in law enforcement, from FBI to forensics to homicide detectives. We glimpsed the working relationship between Parker and Avery in Cold Shot, and Still Life picks up a little after they have separated ways professionally. Circumstances out of their control force them to work together again to find Avery’s missing childhood friend. Confronting old acquaintances, however, causes Avery to begin a revealing journey back into a past she regrets — and fears will come between hers and Parker’s friendship with permanent ripples.

There are many things to love about Still Life, but my favorite thing is the relationship dynamic between Parker and Avery. The way both of them gradually realize the depths of connection they share; the way Parker is a very strong character (with quite the Irish brogue 🙂 ) but not above vulnerability; they way they are each encouraging and protective of the other, in different ways; and the way Avery is relatable and assertive. Most importantly, the story of forgiveness that unfolds a little at a time is a demonstration of how God can redeem your past and show you His unconditional love through the people close to you.

While the focus of this story is Parker and Avery, another criminal incident takes place that draws the whole group into the investigation. This adds even more suspense to the plot and sets up a few things to come in the next book, I think. Through this, we get to know the personalities of the next “couple” the series will focus on (Declan and Tanner). Also, a plot thread that will seemingly continue through the series, dealing with the group’s missing friend Luke, is developed further and is proving quite interesting.  I’m ready for more of this crew already!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the review copy. This is my honest review.