Top Suspense Thriller

Quite possibly our favorite category, suspense thrillers are the bulk of what we enjoy reading.  With so many choices, narrowing it down makes it extremely difficult.

firstborn

1. Firstborn by Tosca Lee

The sequel to the gripping novel The Progeny, Firstborn takes us right back to the action that kept us on the edge of our seat throughout the first.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I'm Found

2. If I’m Found by Terri Blackstock

The second book in the series but might just be Blackstock’s best book yet. A tight, suspenseful story that will leave you begging for more.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every Deadly Kiss

3. Every Deadly Kiss by Steven James

If you have never read a Steven James novel, I suggest you start now with this one. It will keep you up at night and have you looking twice and double locking the doors.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crown of Souls

4. Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

In less than one ten-thousandth of a second, lives will be changed causing Tox and his crew to face their toughest mission yet and not all will survive.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beneath Copper Falls

5. Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble

A riveting story that will leave the hairs prickling on the back of your neck to the very last page.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost Missed You

6. Almost Missed You by Jessica Strawser

A wonderful debut novel that will leave the reader guessing at every turn and wondering if we ever really know the people we have in our lives.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

purgatory-road

7. Purgatory Road by Samuel Parker

Another debut novel that just begs to be read.

Read the full review here.

Top Supernatural Thriller

These books might not seem totally realistic, but they are still fun to read.  Here are our top picks for the year!

Realms of God

1. The Realms of God by Michael Livingston

In the exciting conclusion to the Shards of Heaven series, the timetable fast forwards 20 years with several of our favorite characters perishing.  Who survives?

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

The Delusion

2. The Delusion by Laura Gallier

When a small town becomes the center of a supernatural battle between good and evil, one young man must face the worst to find the best in everyone.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invitation

3. The Harbingers Series

Each of these books brings four top supernatural suspense authors together to create new thriller stories for our heroes!

Read the review for The Invitation.

Read the review for The Assault.

Read the review for Probing.

 

 

Death in the minds eye

Death in the Mind’s Eye by Rick Acker

A combination of a legal and psychological thriller, the perfect read for anyone wanting a book that will keep them on the edge of their seat.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Small Magic

5. Some Small Magic by Billy Coffey

Things are not always as they seem.  The living might be dead and the dead might be alive.

Read the full review here.

Top Historical Fiction

Another of our favorite categories is historical fiction.  We just can get enough of these authors and couldn’t limit it to five either.

The Crooked Path

1. The Crooked Path by Irma Joubert

Another fantastic story set in South Africa during WWII and beyond.  What makes it even better is that some of the characters crossover from her previous novel, giving life back to the story!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

Orphan's tale

2. The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff

Yet another fascinating story set in WWII.  This one is sure to leave you in tears.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Names

3. The Man with Two Names by Vincent B. Davis II

Easily one of the best ancient Rome novels that we’ve read in a while.  The ending is left open for a sequel and we can’t wait to see what happens next.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

denali

4. In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson

Learning about turn of the century Alaska and the importance of the railroad along with the Curry hotel made this a spectacular choice.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

A trial of crumbs

5. A Trail of Crumbs by Susie Finkbeiner

Just when you though Pearl’s troubles couldn’t get worse, they do.  And now she and her family must move to Michigan during the depression.  What else lies in store?

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Illusionist Apprentice

6. The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron

Fans of Harry Houdini will love this book.  His lady apprentice tells all in this wonderfully construction world by Cambron.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom

7. Freedom’s Price by Christine Johnson

Can you say Pirates of the Caribbean?  The settings this book includes take you there in a heartbeat!

Read the full review here.

Top Mystery Fiction

As a bonus Christmas treat, we are also releasing our top mystery fiction picks for 2017.

betrayal

1. Betrayal at Iga by Susan Spann

This is such a terrific series that tackles seemingly unsolvable mysteries in Ancient Japan.  And the truth of Hiro’s past is finally brought to light.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sorbonne Affair

2. The Sorbonne Affair by Mark Pryor

For the first book in this series that we picked up, we couldn’t be happier.  The writing is fast paced and the mystery will keep you guessing until the end!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Poet

3. Local Poet by Paul Trembling

The story may be short, but the mystery is anything but.  Filled with a mystery centered around drug trafficking, you’ll finish this one in no time!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

murder-at-the-moor

4. Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering

Another Drew Farthering mystery always keeps up happy.  Even though they are getting a little more predictable, each story is unique and seeing the characters develop from the beginning has been such a fun experience.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

Portrait of Vengenace

5. Portrait of Vengeance

How does Gwen Marcey continue to get herself into these situations?  This book is crucial to understanding Gwen’s past as well as saying farwell to Thelma and Louise?  Confused?  Pick up a copy!

Read the full review here.

Top Crime Fiction/Legal Thriller

Merry Christmas to all!  And for a Christmas treat, we are releasing our top picks for Crime Fiction and Legal Thrillers!

the-trapped-girlClose to Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Trapped Girl and Close to Home by Robert Dugoni

Well it happened again.  We love the Tracy Crosswhite series so much that there was no possible way to choose between the two installments released this year.  Dugoni is a master suspense story teller in this series that keeps us begging for more.

Read the full review of The Trapped Girl here.

Read the full review of Close to Home here.

Crisis Shot

2. Crisis Shot by Janice Cantore

Janice Cantore is back in full force with one of her best novels yet. We’ve been waiting for her to write this book for a long time.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

deadly proof

3. Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan

When writing a legal thriller, it is the author’s job to find a fine balance between telling the legal aspects of the case without losing the reader in terminology many will have a hard time understanding while keeping the tension tight. Rachel Dylan has done a great job finding the balance between the tension of the case without going too deep into the legal aspect.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

Deep extraction

4. Deep Extraction by Diann Mills

Another great book by DiAnn Mills that will keep readers guessing and turning the pages well past their bedtime.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond Justice

Imperfect Justice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Beyond Justice and Imperfect Fustic by Cara Putman

We just discovered Cara Putman this year and her new legal thriller series has us getting all of her previous novels!

Read the full review for Beyond Justice here.

Read the full review for Imperfect Justice here.

Top Romantic Suspense

And now another great category.  What’s better than a suspenseful read with a little love story thrown in?

A matter of trustrescue-me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. A Matter of Trust & Rescue Me by Susan May Warren

We just couldn’t decide between Books 2 & 3 of the Montana Rescue Series because they are just that good.  This is our favorite series that Warren has crafted so far.

Read the review for A Matter of Trust here.

Read the review for Rescue Me here.

Vanishing Point resize.inddPursued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Vanishing Point and Pursue by Lisa Harris

As luck would have it, we couldn’t decide on this series either.  The strong female lead in these books really takes it to a new level.

Read the review for Vanishing Point’s here.

Read the review for Pursued review here.

Chasing Secrets

3. Chasing Secrets by Lynette Eason

The final installment in the Elite Guardian Series left us wanting more.  These awesome bodyguards need to make future appearances.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridges

4. Bridges by Maria Murnane

Daphne White faces the same scenario so many authors fear trying to get that first book published, but will it push the relationship with her best friends to the brink?

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dangerous Illusions

5. Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

One of the best in the business, Irene Hannon delivers yet another great read.

Read the full review here.

Top Futuristic/Dystopian

Next up are the top picks for stories set in the future or dystopia.  These are always fun to read to see what some of our favorite author’s imaginations can conjure up.

The Divide

1. The Divide by Jolina Petersheim

The previous installment left off with the Mennonite community being vacated and overrun by an angry mob with one of the main characters left for dead.   This is a terrific conclusion!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

contaigon

2. Contagion by Marcy G. Dyer

An altered strain of rabies that turns its victims into Zombies has been unleashed turning the world into chaos and leaving three families to fend for themselves and try to stay alive.  And it’s set in my home area!!!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

without warning

3. Without Warning by Joel C. Rosenberg

The final installment of this trilogy gave us quite a shock with the ending!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wilders

4. Wilders by Brenda Cooper

With major cities located in glass bubbles connected by tubes for travel, outside the glass can be a cruel place.

Read the full review here.

 

Top Contemporary Fiction

Next up is one of our favorite categories for the year.  We’re never disappointed with the quality of work we find in this category and 2017 is not exception.

one wrong turn

1. One Wrong Turn by Deanna Lynn Sletten

This was one of the fastest reads of the year.  What started out as tragedy quickly turned into hope.  Terrific read for anytime of the year!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before we were yours

2. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Lisa Wingate is one of the most prolific authors we read that can balance the past and present.  She delivers a story based on true events that will undoubtedly leave you in tears.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

everything we left behind

3. Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale

We’ve been waiting for this book to release the minute we finished Everything We Keep.  Now the story continues through James’s perspective and we finally find out the truth about that fateful trip to Mexico!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

The Writing Desk

4. The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck

Another fantastic story that bounces between past and present that connects two people across time and continents by a single piece of furniture.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer

 

5. The Summer that Made Us by Robyn Carr

A terrific story about a dysfunctional family that finally begins to heal after 30 years of hurt and deceit.  If you think your family is nuts, just wait until you read this.

Read the full review here.

Top 5 Nonfiction

Next up is our top picks for nonfiction.  Any of these would be great last minute Christmas gifts!

Laught it up

1.  Laugh it Up by Candace Payne

Chewbacca mom anyone?  This book is just as infectious as her famous laugh.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

courage-to-soar

2. Courage to Soar by Simone Biles

Many Olympic athletes know from a very early age that they want to go for the gold. Simone Biles start in the world of gymnastics came about in a rather unconventional way.  It is nice to read a story of someone so accomplished and see how they have stayed grounded as well as understand the difficulties they have faced.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

The Last Girl

3. The Last Girl by Nadia Murad

A shocking first hand account of the terrors of ISIS on many young women.  This book will inspire you to join Nadia’s cause!

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets be real

4. Let’s be Real by Natasha Bure

In today’s world it is hard for teens to find someone that is actually worth looking up to. Natasha Bure shows it is ok to be ok with yourself and gives teen girls someone they can have as a role model that their parents will approve of.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

 

Heaven

5. Between Heaven and the Real Word by Steven Curtis Chapman

His story is one that some of his fans may be aware of, but many aspects of his life that he shares in the book will be new to even his most devoted fans making this book worth reading.

Read the full review here.

Probing

ProbingAuthor: Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt & Alton Gansky

Series: Harbingers Cycle 3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: December 5, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Our ragtag team of heroes are back to tackle the newest evil lurking around every corner, and dimension.

The third installment of the Harbingers series picks things up where the team left off. Bill Myers starts things off with Leviathan, where our team has been invited to Hollywood for a taping of a new reality show, Live or Die: The Ultimate Reality.  Things get a little too tense when they realize how much control the dark side has over those involved. Frank Peretti continues the story taking us on an amazing adventure with The Mind Pirates. The team has to deal with an enchanted pirate earring and an evil scheme at sea. Part three, Hybrids by Angela Hunt, gets even more chilling as the team encounters two children with black eyes and a pregnant woman who is no longer pregnant with no recollection of what happened to her baby. Our story concludes with The Village from Alton Gansky, where the team is sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains to a town that is more mysterious than anything they have ever encountered.  And with this team, that is saying a lot.

If you are a fan of supernatural suspense you have probably heard of and read one or more of these authors. I don’t know whose idea it was to get them together in this way, but it works. Each book in the series gets better. You do have to enjoy the supernatural aspect to get into these books. While it is beneficial to have read both the previous installments, I wouldn’t say it is absolutely necessary. Each story is broken up with enough backstory that the reader can tell what is happening if they haven’t read the previous two.  Just like most of the works I have read by these authors, there is a lot written that we can’t explain and some of the events will make you scratch your head, but these characters tackle each situation they encounter and bring it to life for the reader. It is nice that there isn’t a lot of time between releases of each book; with each author only writing a quarter of the story, it doesn’t take them as long to get it out to the anxiously awaiting readers.  I do enjoy how each section is from a different character’s view point. Each author has done a fantastic job embodying their character and bringing in to life in a realistic manner. I don’t particularly care for a few of the characters, however it is in the way I’m not really supposed to care for them, which can actually make them more memorable and enjoyable.  I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy a supernatural suspense story by some of the best in the business. Putting these four together was a great idea and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.