Fascinating! 'Never Miss' - by Melissa Koslin

 

About the book:

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile's life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him--and his research that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a Mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon must scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. But their warnings fall on deaf ears, and it becomes increasingly clear that there's no one they can trust--except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

My review:

I could not put this book down!  The characters were completely fascinating and I loved how Kadance and Lyndon kept trying to figure each other out.  He's a genius but not as good with emotions where Kadance has a way of figuring out what people are feeling and getting to their motivations.  Learning  their backstories and issues they were dealing with now, not to mention the twists in the story, really kept me on my toes.  Their investigation was interesting and the action was great.  The slow romantic build-up had wonderful tension.  There was also good conversations about faith.  I absolutely loved this story and can't wait to read more by this author!

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Melissa Koslin

   Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books....

   Continue reading about Melissa Koslin 

The Paris Betrayal - by James R. Hannibal

 

About the book:

After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance--reserved for incompetents and traitors.

Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company's plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him--and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.

Award-winning author James R. Hannibal rachets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.

My review:

This was a non-stop action ride with plenty of intrigue and twists!  Everyone's suspect and you're not sure who to trust. Ben's a strong character, determined to stop an attack even after he's essentially kicked off of his team and while his physical health is deteriorating, all while trying to protect a woman and her dog.  He had a strong sense of loyalty and right and wrong.  I really liked Clara, the woman who ended up tagging along with Ben.  She was tough and ended up being pretty clever.  There's not much about faith, just a short conversation about everyone having done wrong and no one's hands are clean.  I really liked the spy advice Ben remembers throughout like a little instruction manual for what he needs to do next.  I would recommend this book if you like spy or action novels.

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   DigiSmiles Photography

   James R. Hannibal

   James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. This former stealth pilot from Houston, Texas, has been shot at, locked up with surface-to-air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion...

   Continue reading about James R. Hannibal 

Fun Addition to Deep Haven! 'Crazy for You' - Deep Haven Collection 3 - by Susan May Warren & Michelle Sass Aleckson

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Crazy for You

Series: Deep Haven Collection #3

Author: Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Release Date: May 25, 2021

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

The problem with being related to everyone in town is that there is no one left to date…until now…but will this outsider survive his family?

Former soldier Veronica “Ronnie” Morales isn’t going to let her kid brother, Tiago, get pulled into the gangs of Minneapolis, so, seeking safety and a fresh start, she heads to sleepy Deep Haven on the north shore of Minnesota. She’s hoping to put down roots as the paramedic for the new Crisis Response Team, but it’s not easy to be the town outsider.

Fire Chief Peter Dahlquist is a peacemaker—he has to be. After he’s related to both of the Deep Haven dynasties – the Zimmermans and the Dahlquists, Deep Haven’s version of the Hatfields and the McCoys. Worse, Peter is the holdout vote for a landmark project, which also makes him the loneliest guy in town when both sides demand that he pick sides. The only one who seems to understand his plight is the newcomer in town…his pretty, street-tough paramedic.

When Tiago finds himself caught up in small town shenanigans and the town blames Ronnie for tragedy, Peter is forced to pick sides. But will his choice cost him the home—and the woman—he loves?

My review:

This was a fun opposites attract story as Ronnie is blunt and tells it like it is and Peter wants to make everyone happy so he has trouble saying no or being too direct. They lock horns right away as they argue about how to go about getting their Crisis Response Team up to par. Peter's all about community, his faith and family and Ronnie has never really had any of that. Peter has a strong faith and there was a good message about God caring for us and wanting to be there for us if we'll let him. Peter was such a great guy, humble, selfless and caring about everyone. Ronnie came on strong but had a good heart so she grew on me. She was also dealing with a lot of baggage so had a skewed view of relationships. There were some sweet romantic moments, a funny misunderstanding and some action. This worked great as a stand-alone as I haven't read the first two in the series yet and wasn't lost at all. I'd recommend this book if you like romance!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from JustRead Tours. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook | BookBub

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | admin@sunrisepublishing.com

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Crazy for You ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 25, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 1, 2021. Winner 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.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Wonderful! Review and Giveaway of 'Dusk's Darkest Shores' - Regency Wallflowers 1 - by Carolyn Miller

 

About the series:
 
While most stories set in Regency England focus on the rich, the young, and the beautiful, award-winning author Carolyn Miller decided she wanted to give readers something different for a change. Her new Regency Wallflowers series follows the commoners, away from the hustle and bustle of 1810s London, out in the Lake District of England. She tells the stories of women who are slightly older and have few prospects for marriage, women who might be considered “wallflowers.”
 
About the book:
 
How can a meek wallflower help a returning war hero whose dreams are plunged into darkness?
 
Mary Bloomfield has no illusions. Her chances for matrimony have long since passed her by. Still, her circumstances are pleasant enough, especially now that she has found purpose in assisting her father with his medical practice in England's beautiful Lake District. Even without love, it's a peaceful life.
 
That is until Adam Edgerton returns to the sleepy district. This decorated war hero did not arrive home to acclaim and rest, but to a new battle against the repercussions of an insidious disease. Mary's caring nature cannot stand to see someone suffer--but how can she help this man see any brightness in his future when he's plunged into melancholic darkness, his dreams laid waste by his condition?
 
Adam wants no charity, but he's also no coward. If this gentle woman can work hard, how can he do less? Together they struggle to find a way forward for him. Frustration and antipathy slowly develop into friendship and esteem. Then a summer storm atop a mountain peak leads to scandal--and both Mary and Adam must search the depths of their closed hearts for answers if they hope to find any future path with happiness at its end.
 
Best-selling author Carolyn Miller is back with a fresh series that will not only thrill readers eager for more of her work, but bring in new fans looking for beautiful writing, fascinating research, deftly woven love stories, and real faith lived out in the Regency period.
 
Click here to read an excerpt.

My review:

This was such a wonderful book!  Carolyn Miller has done it again!  I loved the plot of this story and that this new series will be about wallflowers.  Mary was such a wonderful character, so giving and caring, helping her father with his doctoring even with some very difficult and heart-wrenching cases.  I loved her dry sense of humor and strong faith.  Adam shared her wonderful sense of humor and I loved their banter.  I loved seeing him grow and change and her part in that.  He was really struggling with his faith at the beginning and there were some good faith discussions, especially about trusting God even in suffering and difficult circumstances.  There were some sweet moments as their feelings developed.  I absolutely loved this well-written book and I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from I Read with Audra.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

About the author:

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.   A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food. Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.    Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter to win a fun prize pack inspired by the book and its English setting that includes: 
 
- a copy of Dusk’s Darkest Shores
- a canvas bag to carry your latest reads
- a fun pair of Jane Austen socks
- Novel Teas’ English Breakfast tea
- “Drink tea, read books, and be happy” tea spoon
- “Let your faith be bigger than your fear” mug
- Black currant preserves from England
- Wax Lyrical candle from England

Exciting Conclusion! 'Right Cross' - A Shepherd Suspense Novel 3 - by Andrew Huff

 

About the book:

First he left the CIA. Then he left pastoral ministry. Now John Cross has been imprisoned in one of Great Britain's most infamous prisons. Has he reached the end of his rope? Or is this another move in a dangerous spy game? Christine Lewis, United News Network's rising star television anchor, is determined to find out. But in her pursuit of answers, Christine finds herself at the center of a cyberterrorist plot to alter the balance of power in the world. From the English coastline to the Rocky Mountains, John must partner with the CIA and MI6 in a race against the clock to stop the threat of nuclear war and save the lives of everyone he holds dear. The concluding story in the Shepherd Suspense trilogy is a globe-trotting, action-packed adventure with threads of biblical truth woven in. Fans of high-octane thrillers will be on the edge of their seats with Right Cross.

My review:

This was another wonderful story in the series with plenty of action and spy heroics.  I loved seeing where John and Christine's story went while getting to know Guin, a fellow spy, better and now Lane, a MI6 agent, who will both be starring in a new series coming out next year!  There was some romance and some discussion of faith as both John and Christine are somewhat new to being Christians but both trying to do God's will and trust Him in all of the crazy situations they find themselves in.  Their faith and perseverance when they thought the worst had happened was encouraging to my own faith.  John's refusal to take a life was admirable but I felt it was a little hard to believe it was possible in some of the situations he found himself in.  I loved the twist in the story and it also looks like we might see John and Christine some in the next series, which I'm glad for.  I would highly recommend this book and the entire series if you like action and spy novels.

I received a free copy of this book from Kregel Publications.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Andrew Huff: Website    Facebook    Twitter    Instagram

Kregel Publications: Facebook   Twitter   Instagram

Retail links: Amazon    ChristianBook    Barnes and Noble

The Shell Collector - by Nancy Naigle

 

About the book:

A touching novel of love and loss, a friendship that crosses generations, and learning how even the smallest gifts can change a life for good, from USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle.

Amanda Whittier had no idea when she said goodbye to her husband, Jack, the morning he deployed that it would be the last time she'd ever see him. Two years later, she's still trying to put her life with their two children back together. She buys a tiny beach cottage in the town near where they'd wed, and what comes next is as unpredictable as what the tide brings in.

An unlikely friendship with an older woman who has lived there her whole life puts a new lens on Amanda's situation, and Amanda begins finding shells with quotes in them that seem to guide and inspire her to face her fears. She uncovers local lore about these shells from as far back as thirty years ago that gives her purpose as she chases the stories behind them.

One shell leads her to someone she hasn't spoken to since the day she laid her husband to rest. As their friendship unfolds, Amanda begins to believe that he just might hold the key to her future happiness.

My review:

This was a touching story that was at times sad then made me smile as Amanda's children stole the show.  They were my favorite characters as their antics were so amusing.  I enjoyed Maeve and the encouragement she gave Amanda and how she really wanted to give back to people.  I also liked that Amanda tried to focus on being grateful for what she had and to work on moving on from her grief.  Paul was such an amazing guy, noble and giving.  I wished for more to the romance as he didn't show until later in the story.  I also liked that prayer and faith were important to Amanda and Maeve but sometimes their beliefs weren't from the Bible, like thinking Jack was now possibly a guardian angel watching over her or that babies came from Heaven before they were born.  The shells with their encouragement were a neat idea and I wished that had been a bigger part of the story.  If you like touching stories of moving on, you should check out this book!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.  

Begotten - The Gifted 1 - by Lisa T. Bergren

 

About the book:

At the height of the Inquisition, a secret half a millennium old is about to be exposed-a lost letter said to have been written by Paul and part of what was to become the foundation of the Christian canon. It speaks of men and women-the Gifted-with mysterious spiritual gifts that struck fear in the heart of the Church. Now the letter has surfaced. The Gifted ones are coming together. Their prophecy is coming true.

My review:

This was an interesting story, suspenseful with both physical action and spiritual warfare.  Those parts I really liked, along with the hint of romance.  I also liked learning about the time period and some of the customs but I don't really like church politics and there was some of that in the story.  I was frustrated about some of the customs of the church, such as only reading the Bible in church and only in Latin, which most people couldn't even understand.  I also got frustrated with Daria as she kept going her own way and making bad decisions, even after just agreeing that she had just done that!  Sometimes she seemed incredibly naive, even knowing that she was in danger.  I liked Gianni a lot, as he was a knight and sworn to protect her so was brave but also a man of great faith and Father Piero was also incredibly wise so a good leader.  There was a lot of talk of faith as the group tried to understand Christ better and gain strength from him and trust him more so they would be prepared for the battle ahead.  They read Scripture and prayed.  This story was rewritten and republished and there are two more books so their story continues.  Overall this felt a little slow to me but if you like books about spiritual warfare and historical fiction, you might want to check it out.

I received a kindle copy of this book free from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.