Thrilling Suspense! 'Canyon of Deceit' - by DiAnn Mills

 

About the book:

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.

My review:

This was an incredibly suspenseful story with twists and turns!  From tackling nature and its hazards on a dangerous mountain range to being chased multiple times while being shot at, the suspense didn't let up.  I also liked that there was some investigation to it as they tried to figure out if they could trust Rurik and find out what was actually going on.  I really admired Therese and her faith and how she put God first, even when she was really drawn to Blane when they had dated previously but broke up with him when he didn't share her faith.  She was also incredibly strong mentally and fit physically to guide them up and down slippery mountain peaks, all while searching for the child and dangerous men.  She also could keep her head about her and help in a crisis.  Blane was pretty impressive, too, with his skills as a Texas Ranger and with negotiating.  There were some good conversations about faith and they discovered there had been incidents in both their pasts that they blamed themselves for and couldn't seem to forgive themselves for.  There was some good advice about dealing with that, too.  There was also a little bit of romance.  I would highly recommend this book if you like suspense!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable Teen Read! 'Charting the Course' - Finding Faith 2 - by Leslea Wahl

 

About the book:

A ten-day Caribbean cruise might sound like a fabulous way to spend the holidays. But Liz would rather be anywhere than stranded on a ship for her estranged father’s high school reunion.

While an anonymous note, an onboard mystery, and a cute boy help turn the tide on the unwanted trip, Liz and her father drift even further apart. However, when Liz's reckless actions create a tsunami of unintended consequences, she recognizes that she's drowning in pent-up hurt and anger. As her carefully created façade begins to ebb away, she turns to her faith and sets off to chart a new course for her life.

My review:

I really enjoyed this story about a teen girl trapped on a cruise ship with a dad she's angry at and a bunch of strangers.  There was never a dull moment as Liz discovered mysterious notes that led her on a scavenger hunt plus got involved in another mystery to try and help someone.  There was a cute boy who was also incredibly nice and understanding; he seemed almost too perfect!  There was a hint of romance and a lot of other fun characters.  She also joined a competition plus doing excursions and just enjoying all the fun things on the ship made me feel like I was there with them.  I hadn't realized when I asked to review this book and the first one that they were Catholic books.  She mentioned praying to Mary, saints and the Holy Family, which I don't believe in.  Jesus said he's the only way to God and that He's interceding for us.  She does have her pray to Jesus and another character mentioned praying to God and also asking the Holy Spirit to guide their words when speaking to someone.  I liked that she realized she couldn't keep going on like she had and prayed for help.  She also confessed to a priest, which again the Bible says we just need Jesus for that.  Overall, I liked the story a lot and the Catholic parts were minimal.  There was also a surprise twist!  If you like a clean story about forgiveness and starting over, plus just a fun teen read, you should check it out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.                  

Fascinating Addition to the Series! 'A Scheming in Parliament' - Of Cloaks and Daggers 2 - by Erica Vetsch

 

About the book:

Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his true motives, and he’s quickly inducted into the mysterious Theban Club.


Miss Philippa Cashel's mission, the Princess Charlotte Eleos School for Women in Need, is thriving with donations, and the students are learning skills to help them earn their livings in honorable ways. But when a dear friend's past is revealed by blackmail, Philippa must wrestle with the question, Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?


Bertie's and Philippa's missions collide when Bertie uncovers a dangerous plot involving vulnerable women. He and Philippa join forces against the corruption threatening to topple England's government, all while navigating their outward reputations and inward feelings for each other.

My review:

This was a fascinating addition to the series as we see Bertie and Philippa's story continue from the first book.  Bertie was trying to figure out if some corruption in the political realm was going on while Philippa continued to run the Eleos school.  While he made connections and learned what he could in his new role, Philippa was faced with a difficult decision.  I'm not as crazy about politics so that part didn't interest me as much but I found it fascinating when it seemed like there was something criminal going on involving captive women and they joined forces to save them.  I really admired their bravery, especially Philippa, as she didn't have training but put her life at risk anyway.  There was some suspense and action.  There was a little bit of romance as they became closer through the different situations and really learned what kind of person the other was and felt drawn to each other.  There was also a good presentation of the gospel.  I'd recommend reading the first book before this as it helps to understand the characters and their motivations better and it's always fun to see characters from other series' as well.  I'd definitely recommend this book and I can't wait for the next one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Did Not Want to Put it Down! 'Girl Lost' - The King Legacy 1 - by Kate Angelo

 

About the book:

Luna Rosati found acceptance and a family during childhood, but when she became pregnant at seventeen, 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 left--the teenage daughter she's never met. Her mentor, Stryker, promises to reveal her daughter's identity, but first Luna must meet him in the old neighborhood, the last place she wants to be. Then Stryker is captured.  
  
Special Agent Corbin King changed his surname 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 toward a greater mission. 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 review:

This was a great suspenseful story that I did not want to put down!  The action started almost immediately and there were quite a few action scenes.  I also loved the police procedural aspect to the story as Luna, Corbin and their team follow the evidence and clues and discover something they weren't expecting.  Not only was the suspense wonderful but there was also great interactions between the characters as Luna and Corbin have a lot of history they needed to work through.  They also had a great group of law enforcement friends who were influenced by Stryker and brought out of bad situations or tough home lives to turn their lives around.  It seems the next book will be about another of their group.  There was some romance and also some good spiritual conversations as Luna was now a Christian but Corbin had a harder time believing in God.  The writing was great, also.  This wasn't my first Kate Angelo book and it won't be my last!  I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary kindle copy of the book from Netgalley.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.