Unknown Threat

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 2, 2021

By far the best Romantic Suspense book I have read this year! Fans of Blackburn will not want to miss this fantastic read!

When three Secret Service agents all die with unusual circumstances Special Agent Luke Powell knows he is lucky to be alive and is now on a mission to find whoever is responsible for taking out his fellow agents. After more agents are attacked and Luke is injured, the FBI is called in to help. FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is put in charge of the investigation and uses every resource at her disposal to figure out who is targeting the Secret Service. She has worked on a task force with several of the agents attacked and doesn’t mind working with Luke once again. Even injured, Luke refuses to leave the case to the FBI with his team being the target. Together they work to save the rest of the team and bring down the monster dead set on killing them all.

The start of this new series by Lynn Blackburn is her best work yet!! So much action, drama, suspense, tension, with just a little bit of romance at all the right spots. I absolutely loved the way this story started with a bang and didn’t let up. There was no slow build to the more suspenseful moments, they started from page one and didn’t stop. This is one of the ways Lynn Blackburn has gotten so much better with each new book and one of the best in romantic suspense, top notch writing with no “extra” just to add to a word count. So many books have the same boring plots that end the same and you don’t even have to read the whole story to know what’s going to happen or how it will play out. I genuinely found myself on the edge of my seat while reading Unknown Threat and can’t wait for the rest of the series. I loved the little throwbacks to other characters in her previous series and fans will love seeing these characters make an appearance. This is a fantastic start to a new series, and I think readers will fall in love with these new characters. I recommend this series to fans of romantic suspense, especially if you like it heavy on the suspense. If you have never read anything by Lynn Blackburn, I highly recommend starting here and then diving into all the others.

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

The English Wife

Author: Adrienne Chinn

Publisher: One More Chapter

Release Date: June 23, 2020

Two stories full of secrets that can finally bring out the truth!

Ellie Burgess has kept her life in order with the way she wants it to be in London with the threat of war. She is studying art and engaged to her lifelong friend George. But after the war begins and her best friend is killed in a bombing, she feels that she must do her part and join the fire service. Her predictable love life also takes a turn when she meets a Newfoundlander named Thomas Parsons. She realizes that she loves George but has never been in love with him as she is with Thomas. She makes a decision that compromises every relationship within in her family and elopes with Thomas before he is sent off to war. After almost of year of no correspondence after he is taken a POW, Ellie has all but decided that Thomas has perished until she finally receives a letter from him back in Newfoundland. She packs up her belongings with their newborn son and heads across the Atlantic in a course that will forever change her life.

Sophie Parry is on a flight from London to New York for an interview with a prestigious architecture firm on September 11, 2001. When her plan is diverted to Gander, Newfoundland and she realizes that she is not getting to New York anytime soon, she decides to call on her Aunt Ellie that she has never known. Her mother hated her aunt and she never knew why. Could it be fate that brought them together now?

I love a book that manages to come full circle from beginning to end. There were quite a lot of little twists towards the end of the book, several of which were quite surprising. I loved reading both stories, and it took having Ellie’s backstory to really understand Sophie. I really felt for Ellie with all that she had to go through, but she was a trooper. I also enjoyed watching Sophie’s character get developed and grow with an understanding of what to live for instead of how she was living. There is so much going on in this novel that it would take a long time to unpack, but I feel that the reader should enjoy the gift that this book really is. There is a lot of Newfoundland slang throughout the book that is pretty easy to pick up on. This is the first book that I’ve read set there, but it seems like it would be a beautiful place to visit.

There is a little bit of foul language throughout the book, but it doesn’t overpower the story. Even so, I recommend this book for mature readers.

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

Obsession

Author: Patricia Bradley

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 2, 2021

A fantastic suspense read with tension at all the right spots! Fans of Patricia Bradley will not want to miss this one.

Emma Watson is a Natchez Trace Ranger and historian. She has been working at a historical landmark when shots are fired at her. With her life in danger, the authorities are called to keep her safe and the one person she never wanted to see again is assigned to protect her. Sam Ryker is a district ranger and when he sees Emma after being called about her being shot at, all his old feelings for her come rushing back to him. Their time together was good, and he never understood why she broke off their engagement. Emma doesn’t know if the shooter is someone mad about her work at the landmark or a delusional secret admirer who is trying to get her all to himself.

Patricia Bradley is a fantastic Romantic Suspense author and her Natchez Trace series is continuing to be one of my favorites. The relationship between Sam and Emma had me from the get-go. I was wrapped up in their past drama and the trouble Emma is now experiencing. The writing in this book is probably her best yet with the story being tight, characters that act naturally and help the story progress, and some of the most intense moments that kept me glued to my seat. Something about the way Emma was written and her stalker made for great writing; she was in danger at so many moments and yet she refused to give up or give in no matter what came next. This is the second book in the Natchez Trace series and this time we get to see Emma and Sam, other characters from the series make an appearance as well. Even though this is the second in the series it isn’t necessary for readers to have read the first to enjoy this one. Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy this addition to a fantastic series. I recommend this to fans of Bradley’s writing and even those that might be new to her as an author and want to give a great book a chance.

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

When Twilight Breaks

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Another great historical romance by Sundin!

Stashed away in Munich in 1938, foreign correspondent Evelyn Brand is frustrated about missing all the action in Berlin. If she was a man, she wouldn’t have to deal with this treatment or have her articles reviewed and edited to keep her name on a byline. But as the Nazi tyranny continues to grow, Evelyn keeps reporting the truth, even if it means she gets expelled from the country. Someone must wake the United States up to the truth about what is happening in Europe.

Harvard doctoral student Peter Lang is teaching abroad in Munich to develop his thesis dissertation in improving language communication between English and German. He loves Germany now compared to six years ago when the communists caused riots in the streets. However, the longer he is in Germany, the clearer it becomes when the Nazi party is doing, and Peter is frustrated that he allowed himself to become disillusioned because of the past. When the German brass get wind of Peter’s capabilities to teach Germans to speak English with impeccable accents, they plan to keep him there to advance their agenda. But Peter needs to get new information that he has learned back to America at any cost.

The last three books that Sundin has released all centered around the events of D-Day, so this was a nice surprise to see her research and writing focused of the rise of the Nazi party. She did a great job researching key events including rallies and Kristallnacht to keep readers engaged and maybe have them do a little research on their own. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Evelyn and Peter’s story play out. It wasn’t quick and easy, in fact is was painful and messy to watch at times, but their love for each other finally won out. It’s great to see how this can happen in both real life and in a book. I’m always look forward to Sundin’s books and this one is no exception. This will make it to the top of the list for the year!

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

Pudge and Prejudice

Author: A. K. Pittman

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: January 12, 2021

Set in fictitious Northfield, Texas during 1984, this story takes readers on a journey similar to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice!

Elyse Nebbitt and her family have just moved to Northfield, Texas and she is faced with finding her place in a new school. Elyse has always had trouble fitting in, being overweight hasn’t helped either. Her beautiful older sister Jayne quickly fits in and starts dating Charlie Bingley, one of the stars of the football team. While Elyse can’t help but being attracted to Charlie’s best friend, Billy Fitz, Elyse is too insecure in her own body to believe anything could develop in that relationship. Her new friend, Lottie, helps Elyse to accept herself for who she is and what she can become.

Pudge and Prejudice was just a fun read. I enjoyed the way the characters were laid out with different personalities. There is someone in this book for everyone to relate to in one way or the other. Pudge is bigger, a little insecure at times, but overall a fun character to read about. The rest of her family and friends she meets in her new town make for a well-rounded cast of characters that will leave readers smiling and nodding their heads at the different antics they get into. Her sisters are very different than her in size and attitude at times and the romance aspects of the book progress at a rate that is very relatable for teen angst and drama, although I will say that the end relationships did make me wonder if it was something that would really happen or just playing out well for the sake of the story.

Charlie and Billy are brought into the story to meet the girls by helping the family move in and one thing leads to another as our story progresses. The pace of the story was perfect for teens and anyone wanting a quick read that doesn’t require a lot of deep thought. Overall, this was a fun enjoyable read that I recommend to young readers, probably more suited for girls than boys, but the sports aspect of the story would appeal to male readers.

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

Check out our Q & A with the author!

Lethal Intent

Author: Cara Putman

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: January 12, 2021

A medical/legal thriller that gets darker with every twist and turn!

Caroline Bragg is excited to start her new job as legal counsel for Praecursoria, a research lab working on cutting edge therapy for cancer treatment. Along with the new job, her relationship with Brandon Lancaster has never been better. Just when she thinks things can’t get any better, her world comes crashing around her as the job she thought was so perfect starts to show all is not as it seems and with each new stress at the job her relationship with Brandon becomes more and more strained. Brandon has been running a foster home and one of the kids in his care, Bethany, is very sick and a candidate for the new research. When the treatment doesn’t show the same results for Bethany as others and things don’t add up as they should, Caroline starts to wonder if things in the company are not as good as she and others were led to believe. The more she digs, the more she discovers the danger she and others are now in and wonders how much she might lose to expose the truth.

I have always loved Cara Putman’s writing style. She is a lawyer and her legal thrillers have always been top notch with so much passion, emotion and realistic content the story flies by. Lethal Intent is more of a medical thriller than legal thriller to me; the story revolves more around the sick kids and research than anything legal and I think that slowed it down for me. I didn’t feel any real tension in the story until almost halfway through. At that point though the story did fly by and was much more enjoyable, just not the usual fast paced thriller I am used to from her. The characters each had moments to shine, I enjoyed Caroline’s tenacity and commitment to follow through in finding the truth. Brandon was determined to do anything he could to help those he cared about. This is the kind of story that takes patience and the pay out at the end is good if you stick with it and don’t give up after the slow start. I recommend this to readers that enjoy medical/legal thrillers with a little romance thrown in the mix.

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

Tidewater Bride

Author: Laura Frantz

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Frantz always does her research and it shines through in Tidewater Bride.

Selah Hopewell thoroughly enjoys matching other people up, especially the tobacco brides that arrive into the new colonies. Unfortunately, there are more men than there are available women, which she has no intent to marry as she is taking care of her family’s shop. When she meets Xander Renick, who is married to his business, can she find him a mate? Or will she find what has been missing in her life?

Laura Frantz never ceases to amaze me in the amount of research that she puts in for each of her novels. Tidewater Bride is no exception. From the true era language to the description of scenery and activity, it all rang true. I love how she makes me do my own research to determine the accuracy of hers, which has always showed to be true. I also love that the book doesn’t center on romance but has action to move the story along. Readers of early frontier colonial era stories will love this one as well!

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

Active Defense

Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Danger Never Sleeps #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 5, 2021

The third installment in Lynette Eason’s newest series is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Eason just gets better and better with each book!

Heather Fontaine thought she left life and death situations behind when she left Afghanistan, but after she is home she gets the feeling someone is following her and has broken into her house. She finds a threat to her friends and is afraid they will be in danger if she stays in town. Not wanting to be the reason something bad happens to anyone she cares about, Heather takes off with only a text to let them know she is okay but needs to be gone for a while. None of that sits well with her friends and they set out to find her. It doesn’t take long for them to locate her hiding out in a small town and Travis Walker sits back and watches her to make sure she is okay and safe. Travis owns his own security firm and knows how to stay in the shadows and keep a close eye on Heather without being spotted. When the danger follows Heather to the small town, Travis must work with her to figure out who wants her dead and why before they both end up casualties.

Lynette Eason really is getting better with each book and there is no exception with Active Defense. I read this in one day, I read a lot, but it is rare for me to finish a book in one day. The book started with a bang and didn’t let up until the very end. Eason has a way of crafting characters that suck you into their lives and stories and make you feel deeply for them, a brilliant way to write that many authors aren’t nearly as good at. I have found when I read if I can’t connect with a character or feel for them in any way, either nervous when they are in danger or excited when a relationship goes good, I have a hard time staying with the book. In each book that Eason writes, I have found one or more characters that pull me in and don’t let go until the very end. The story was incredibly fast paced, easy to follow and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. A perfect book to start the new year with in a wonderfully engaging series. I recommend this to fans of romantic suspense. Even if you haven’t read any in the series it would be okay to start with this one as the back story of the other characters does help but it is not crucial to following the story to have read the previous in the series.

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

2020 Top Romantic Suspense

Quite possibly the hardest category to narrow down because there are so many talented authors! Several of our favorite authors made it on the list this year and we hope you see one or two you enjoy as well!

Airborne by Diann Mills

Airborne is by far the best book Mills has written and one of the very best we read all year. The suspense was top notch and the plot concerning a virus outbreak was rather timely. This was an easy choice for our top pick!

Read the full review.

Acceptable Risk by Lynette Eason

Eason continues to get better at giving readers the story they want! This is likely the best book she has written and we seem to think that every time she releases another book. The connection we felt with the characters made this one of our top books for the year!

Read the full review.

The Escape by Lisa Harris

Action packed with tension at all the right moments that kept us on the edge of our seat until the very last page. There was just the right amount of romance at the right times to keep the story moving and not slow down the pace with the suspense and action. With relatable characters and a story line that keeps readers on the edge of their seat, The Escape was an easy choice!

Read the full review.

The Way of the Brave & The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren really is in a league of her own when it comes to romantic suspense! The Global Search and Rescue series proves that with a shadow of a doubt. Both of these books are packed with action and adventure with the right amount of romance sprinkled in for good measure. Readers will be aching for more!

Read the full review for The Way of the Brave.

Read the full review for The Heart of a Hero.

The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey

The second book in the Coastal Guardians series will have readers so deeply invested in the characters it will be difficult to come up for air! It also sets up a new storyline for book three that we can’t wait to read!

Read the full review.

Backlash

Author: Rachel Dylan

Series: Capital Intrigue #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The second installment in the Capital Intrigue series gives readers all the thrills, chills, and heart stopping moments I’ve come to expect from Rachel Dylan.

Layla Karam joined the CIA as an analyst, she never wanted anything more, especially after she was thrust into a dangerous operation with the DEA against a major drug cartel that puts a target on her back. When one of her team members ends up murdered, she and the rest of the team scramble to stay safe. Along with staying alive there is now an internal investigation against her causing Layla to turn to the one person she never wanted to see again for help, her ex-boyfriend Hunter McCoy. Hunter is a private investigator and uses his skills to try and find out who is trying to sabotage Layla’s career. Together they discover a mole inside the DEA that has given information to the cartel on the team. Layla must do the hardest thing imaginable, put her trust in the man she used to love to keep her alive and keep her heart safe from him.

This is the second book in the Capital Intrigue series and is just as enjoyable as the first. With all the characters in high risk positions, the story starts with a bang and doesn’t stop until the very end. I liked Layla, she wasn’t looking for danger and high stakes missions, she preferred to stay back and do the job she was brought on for, an analyst. However, others higher up had different plans for her though. She could have played the pity card, but she never did, she got mad and fought back. The relationship aspect of the novel was well played, there were several different directions it could have gone but I was pleased with the way Dylan wrote it. Even though this book is mainly about Layla and Hunter I couldn’t help but be pulled in by the scenes with Izzy, (I’m hoping the next book in the series focuses more on her.) There was just something about her story line that pulled me in faster than the others. There are a lot of tense scenes and violence, but it is never written in a way that would turn squeamish readers away. With that being said, the whole story was an enjoyable read, I read it in just over a day. It had been a good while since I read the first one and it didn’t keep me from enjoying any of the story which leads me to say that even though this is the second in the series it could be read as a standalone without any problem. Fans of the romantic suspense will not want to miss this one.