Looking for Leroy

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 1, 2022

A quirky fun look at second chance romances that is clean, and fun, for readers as a quick read.

Brynna Phillips has been burned one too many times by men and wants nothing more to do with them. She is a schoolteacher on summer break and decides to go with her friend on a camping vacation in Sonoma Wine Country. The further they go into the wine country, the more it reminds Brynna of the teenage summer romance she had with a boy named Leroy. It’s been almost 30 years since she has seen him, but she remembers his family had a vineyard in Sonoma. Her friend convinces her that she should try and find her long lost love and see if there is still a spark there before totally giving up on love forever.

If you are looking for a fun, quirky romance that is clean and sweet, Looking for Leroy is just the book for you. Carlson’s books always have a light, easy aspect to them that you can just sit and enjoy without the burden of trying to solve a mystery. Throughout a lot of the book, I found myself scratching my head at the way Brynna acted, what made her think that after 30 years Leroy would be the same type of man she fell in love with all those years ago, I know many people that are not the same as they were when I knew them long ago. She was also a very wishy-washy character; I couldn’t decide if I liked her and wanted her to succeed or not. Other than that, I enjoyed the book, especially the last half which moved much quicker than the first half. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy contemporary romance stories with a fun, happy ending.

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

Along the Rio Grande

Author: Tracie Peterson

Series: Love on the Santa Fe #1

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: March 1, 2022

Great start to a new series set in the aridness of New Mexico!

Susanna Jenkins recently lost her husband to the Spanish Flu, but she has no need to worry about financial means. Meanwhile, her father has made some bad investments that left he and her mother financially ruined and even lost the estate that they have lived in for many years. When her uncle refuses to just bail them out and instead gives them an opportunity to learn from their mistakes as managers of a new hotel in New Mexico, Susanna decides to accompany them at the request of her uncle. Unfortunately, her parents can’t grasp the concept that everything shouldn’t just be given to them and much of the hotel’s operations fall to her. Will her parents and younger brother ever be able to understand the lesson they are trying to be taught?

Owen Turner is a boilermaker for the Santa Fe railroad. You might say that the railroad is in his blood since his father was an engineer on the line until he died. Owen tries to live his life right and walk with God, but he still has a lot of skeletons in the closet. When he meets the new hotel managers, he is quickly drawn to Susanna, especially when he learns that she is now widowed. When her brother comes to work at the railroad, he has a lot of trouble learning the craft and falls in with a group of friends that don’t help his behavior. Can Owen open his hear to Susanna and help her brother at the same time?

Tracie Peterson writes such fun stories and for those of us who love steam trains as well, what could be better than a historical romance set amid the beginnings of the Santa Fe rail line? I loved the setting (especially since I only live about 5 hours away) and the talk of local cuisine would always make me hungry. Both Owen and Susanna were such lovable characters that you couldn’t help but hope that would end up together and not have a stumbling block. Susanna’s parents, however, were nothing short of loathsome characters for most of the book. With their attitudes throughout, I couldn’t believe that Susanna came from the same family. But things have a way of working out in the end, especially when God is in charge. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.

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

Malicious Intent

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Series: Defend and Protect #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 1, 2022

The second book in the Defend and Protect series is even better than the first! Readers are going to absolutely love the story of Gil and Ivy!

It has been years since Ivy Collins has seen Gil Dixon, the first boy she fell in love with. Ivy is now the founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc, designing prosthetics for those in need, which became her passion after her dad lost his arm in a work accident. Gil now works as a U.S. Secret Service Agent who not only protects those in the government, but also works to uncover other crimes. When a case dealing with counterfeit money lands on his desk and takes him to the home of Ivy, who he hasn’t seen in years, they end up in a bigger mess than either of them could have seen coming. Secrets from the past will be brought to light and Gil will have to use all his resources to try and keep Ivy safe and alive while dealing with feelings that never went away.

Lynn Blackburn is getting better with every novel she writes. I’m loving the Defend and Protect series and think Gil and Ivy are my favorite. This story was all I wanted it to be and more. The way Gil and Ivy reconnected after so long and still had feelings for each other that were put to the test with the trouble Ivy found herself in and Gil working to keep her safe while working out the feelings he had for her. Ivy is not only smart but capable, she held her own before Gil came to her rescue and even after that she had moments of protecting him as well. It is a relationship that spans decades and lots of drama that keeps things interesting. The tension was high from the very beginning and kept the pace throughout which made for a great and fun read. It will be hard for the next book to top this one, but I am not going to say impossible, I have learned not to underestimate Blackburn and her ability to surprise me with a story. This is the second in the series and I would recommend reading the first to understand all the characters and how they work together so well. I would also recommend reading the Dive Team series as a few characters from that series show up here as well which was so much fun. I recommend this to readers that love romantic suspense with lots of heart.

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

The Lady of Galway Manor

Author: Jennifer Deibel

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 1, 2022

When Irish eyes are smiling, you’ll find a book by Jennifer Deibel.

When Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed to a Parish, she quickly bores of the trappings that come with the British Court. So, she devises a plan to get her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her. While at the apprenticeship, the war for Irish Independence begins to strengthen and those with British ties become very unpopular. Will the lessons that Annabeth has learned be tested or true?

One thing is for certain, Deibel does a masterful job of bringing Irish history and lore to her readers. I love picking up a book by her because I’m always sent on a journey to the Emerald Isle, home of my ancestors. Maybe that’s why I love her books so much. Overall, this was an easy read that was fun as well. Not as much tension as I like, but that’s not really the base here either. I recommend this to readers who enjoy stories of Irish history.

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

Until Leaves Fall in Paris

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 1, 2022

This is by far Sundin’s best book yet!

With the fall of Paris on the horizon, Lucie Girard’s Jewish friends that own her favorite bookstore have decide to leave for their own safety. They’ve been so good to Lucie by allowing her to stay with them so she could study ballet when her parents moved back to the United States that she feels she must help them, so she buys the bookstore. A year later Paris is fully occupied, and several titles are banned from being sold, but she manages to get by a little at a time. When she discovers that the French resistance is using her bookstore to pass along coded messages, she knows that she too must do her part to be part of pushing back against the Nazis.

After the death of his wife, automaker Paul Aubrey wants to return to the United States with his daughter to keep her safe. But the US government wants him to keep the factory open and appear as a collaborator with the Germans so that he can pass information back to the US. Paul becomes shunned by the Americans remaining in Paris, even the young bookstore owner that his daughter has taken such a liking too. But he knows that to make it convincing, he needs to keep up appearances. As his silent effort grows by taking in British airmen at the factory, he becomes more drawn to Lucie Girard, but can he risk his secret?

There is no doubt that this is Sarah Sundin’s best book! I have been reading her WWII fiction for years and this book had me captured from the beginning through the end. Just when I thought that the story was about to let up, she threw in a twist that I didn’t see coming and kept me glued to the page. Thank goodness I had a couple of days where all I had to do was read!

I love both Paul and Aubrey. And as a reader you get to see what is happening before it ever does. But with that comes the pain that both characters feel from each other when the truth isn’t known. The tension is spot on. The romance isn’t forced but allows for a natural attraction. There just aren’t enough good things to say about this book. Get your copy today!

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

Hart of Noel

Author: Chautona Havig

Series: A Heartstrings Novella

Publisher: Independent

Release Date: October 4, 2021

Just like the previous in the series, this is a fun, fast read that was full of all the feels for me. Loved the setting, characters, and story so much! I foresee myself reading this one over and over again!

Josh Hart wants nothing more than to see his little bookstore succeed. If you looked out the front window of his store, you would think sales would be great with a full parking lot. Unfortunately, the cars are there to get into the bakery across the street and enjoy all the goodness baked by Honey Potts. Josh and Honey clash over the parking spots when Josh asks if she will park her own large SUV somewhere else so that people can actually see his store. Milton Coleridge comes to town with his parrotlet, Atticus and quickly sees that Josh is in desperate need of his help if he is going to keep his bookstore afloat.

Hart of Noel was everything I was hoping it was going to be: fun, entertaining, and just right to sit down and lose myself in fiction for a few hours. Chautona Havig has a way with crafting characters that are easy to all in love with and want to see them succeed. Her stories are quick and well written with characters that readers can relate to and feel themselves in the story. This story was perfect, especially for the holiday season and I am thankful to have had this to read and take myself out of the world and lose myself in fiction for a few hours. Josh was flustered from the start and with good reason, the start of his relationship with Holly was rough but it led to a way for them to work through it and find a good relationship that could lead to something. I recommend this book to those looking for a fun holiday read and with great characters and an even better storyline.

A Heart Adrift

Author: Laura Frantz

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 4, 2022

A second chance romance written by a master at historical fiction? Yes, please!

Esmee Shaw lives a content life in York, Virginia as a chocolatier. She has been courted in the past, but the romance failed and she has yet to find someone that she would prefer to spend the remaining years of her life with. Now twenty-eight, she wishes that she could find some meaning in her life.

Captain Henri Lennox has never gotten over his romance with Esmee Shaw. Now back in Virginia, he focuses on restoring the lighthouse that was one their shared vision. But when his government calls on him to enter the war against France, will he be able to restore their relationship before it’s too late?

There are two things that happen like clockwork every January: A New Year and a new Laura Frantz novel! If you love reading about colonial America, Frantz is an author that you need to read. Her research of this time period is unmatched by any I’ve found. Coupled with fictional and real characters, her stories weaver together the strands of remembered history with characters that you can’t help but cheer on through their hardships and troubles. I never tire of her stories and this one will stay on the shelf for another peek in the future.

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

Sunrise

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Sky King Ranch #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 4, 2022

Susan May Warren does a fantastic job crafting a Contemporary Romance story that readers will enjoy and a setting that is downright chilling!

Dodge Kingston left home over a decade ago after a family fight. He now returns to help salvage Sky King Ranch after his father is in an accident. What he doesn’t count on is meeting back up with his old flame, Echo Yazzie and having all the same feelings come right back to the surface. Echo never left Alaska and has been working as a dogsledder and research guide for the DNR; it is a dangerous life but one she loves. One of the researchers working with Echo goes missing and Echo doesn’t hesitate to head out in search with her dog team. Dodge now must put hurt feelings aside and try to find Echo before it is too late. Not only are they racing against the Alaskan wilderness, but other dangers await them in the wild.

Susan May Warren is a great Christian fiction writer that puts out books faster than most any other author out there. I have loved her romantic suspense series and her collaboration writing the Rembrant Stone series. Sunrise is her newest and it is a contemporary romance; the story is good with characters that intrigued me from the beginning. I did feel that things got a little repetitive at times causing the story to drag a bit, not a lot, but at a few key points I was wanting it to pick up when it was moving at the slower pace. The ending was by far the best part and left me aching for more! Luckily with her. you don’t have to wait too long for the next book to come out.

One thing that got me scratching my head was the use of so many unique names, Dodge, Echo, Idaho, Colt, and Range, not many normal names throughout the book. I get wanting to have names that will stick with the reader but at times it can take readers out of the story with so many unique names. I must admit, I’m more of a fan of suspense than contemporary but this was a good read and I think fans of Warren’s writing will enjoy this new story and beautiful setting.

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

Stone

Author: Ronie Kendig

Series: The Metcalfes #1

Publisher: Task Force Press

Release Date: January 6, 2022

A fantastic start to what promises to be one of the best romantic suspense series from an author who never fails to deliver the very best stories!

Stone Metcalfe has many of the same qualities that made his brother a top-notch military man. He also has the Metcalfe good looks and character, that is until he was caught in a scandal that ruined his political career and sent him to the mountains to try and start over running a lodge and staying out of the media. When he gets a phone call from his old army buddy, all his plans come crashing down.

Brighton Buchanan had it made in the world of supermodeling until one mistake traps her in the world of human trafficking. The same men that trap her also use her to take down Stone from his high position in government. He was the only man she felt she could trust, and she betrayed him. When she finds herself back in his life, Brighton is afraid that one wrong move will put him and everyone else in danger and that is something she is just not willing to risk.

If you have ever read any Ronie Kendig before, you are familiar with the Metcalfes. In Stone, readers get a look into the life of one of the Metcalfe brothers we haven’t seem much before. This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I love the way Ronie Kendig writes, but some of the military thrillers I have read are very detailed and deep. This one was a little more laid back but also filled with tension at all the right places to keep the story moving. I read this one very quickly and enjoyed all aspects of it. This was one of those rare books I was able to see play out as a movie in my mind while I was reading it. The story pulls at the heartstrings with what Brighton has gone through and how she is trying to make amends for what she did to Stone. I was really pulled in by her as a character and the hardships she faced. This is a little different from the other Ronie Kendig books I have read but is by far my favorite. I am not sure how many are planned for this series, but I would love to learn more about all the Metcalfes. This is a great book and series for fans of romantic suspense and good fiction that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

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

Life Flight

Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Extreme Measures #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 4, 2022

By far the best romantic suspense book I have ever read! Lynette Eason has taken her writing to a new level with this one and other authors’ best pay attention or get left in her dust.

Penny Carlton had a rough upbringing, and after spending time in juvie, she now spends her time as an EMS helicopter pilot. Her latest mission sends her out in a dangerous storm to pick up an injured and critical patient that will die if Penny can’t get her down the mountain in time. Something goes wrong with the helicopter and she is forced to set down on the side of the mountain and look for help. Unknown to Penny, a serial killer is on the loose and in the area. FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield shows up just as the killer is getting ready to attack Penny. Together, they take the killer down but soon find out Penny is still in danger when they learn the person on the side of the mountain wasn’t the person they thought. With each passing hour, more clues come to light as Penny’s and Holt’s feelings for each other grow making the case even more personal and more dangerous.

With each new book, Lynette Eason has shown that she is a powerhouse when it comes to romantic suspense and is leaving others far behind. I keep saying each new book is her best, but it is true, and Life Flight is leaps and bounds ahead of her others. Some books have the ability to make a movie play out in my mind while I read, but those are few and far between. Life Flight was a great movie in my mind that I hated to see it end. The book started with the kind of action you see in the climax of most others that then peters off for the rest of the pages. But here it never petered out or slacked in any way, even to the last pages I never once felt the tension let up.

Penny is the kind of lead character that I absolutely love: strong, brave, and put into situations that seem impossible and yet she is able to come out the other side. The chemistry between main characters in a romantic suspense is a tricky thing; sometimes it works and sometimes it is just annoying. With Penny and Holt, it was smooth and easy, I never had an eye roll moment or anything to make me doubt the characters intention or action. I’ve read so many romantic suspense over the years and it is getting harder and harder to find romance between characters that doesn’t make me want to throw the book for lack of chemistry and realistic timeline. I am so happy with Lynette Eason and the way she is becoming better and better with each book! I hope other authors are looking to her for an example of how it is done. This is one of those books I wish I could give more than five stars too! I recommend this book to readers who love romantic suspense and Lynette Eason’s writing.

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