Over The Edge

Author: Irene Hannon

Series: Undaunted Courage #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 1, 2024

A quick page-turner full of chills and thrills.

After a near fatal incident, Lindsey Barnes is trying to move on with her life and recover. Unfortunately, that isn’t as easy as she hoped; someone is trying to make her look unstable and not a reliable source after being the only witness in a murder case. Detective Jack Tucker gets called out after Lindsey needs his help after an enemy starts leaving behind evidence to make her look unreliable as the witness they need. It doesn’t take long for Jack to see someone is setting her up and maybe out for more than just making her look unstable.

Irene Hannon has written a real page-turner with Over the Edge. I loved the dynamic between Lindsey and Jack; she is witty and also neurotic at times with all she has gone through which made her relatable. The way the two characters were brought together was done well; I didn’t find myself having any eye rolling moments at the predictability. There were a few moments when the story fell flat and took a little longer to get thorough. Other than that, it was a very fast read and enjoyable that fans of romantic suspense will enjoy.

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

One Last Stand

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Alaska Air One Rescue #4

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 8, 2024

A fantastic ending to a wonderful series by one of the very best in Christian Fiction.

London Brooks has been part of Air One Rescue as a way to rebuild the life she has left behind that was full of clandestine meetings as part of a team to take down a Russian terrorist. When her old life comes back to haunt her, she must disappear to hopefully keep all of those she cares about safe. When Shep Watson is taken hostage as a ploy to bring London out in the open, she has no choice but to jump back into the world she thought she had left behind.

The Alaska Air One Rescue series has been a fantastic series with lots of action, romance and more. Susan May Warren is a fantastic author that is full of so many great stories. This one was really good except for a few parts in the middle that fell flat. When London goes home to her parents, I just lost connection with her and the story for a good little bit. The other parts of the story were full of action and adventure that kept me glued to the page. This is the type of story that fans of romantic suspense will not want to pass up. You would read this one without having to have read the others in the series but it is best to read the whole series to get the most out of it.

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

The Blooming of Delphinium

Author: Holly Varni

Series: Moonberry Lake #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 24, 2024

A whimsical romance with much to offer readers.

Delphinium Hayes has a peculiar hidden talent. With one quick whiff she is able to tell a lot about a person. This helps her create the perfect bouquet for each individual when needed. She is able to use this to her advantage for all except one, and when she comes across Elliot Sturgis, she questions all she knows. Elliot is quickly enamored with Delphinium and finds out of her secrets and hope he is following God’s plan for his life by trying to help her.

I wish I could say this book was top-notch for me but unfortunately this one fell a little flat. I had trouble relating to the characters and there just wasn’t much to pull me into the story and keep me glued to the pages. The writing itself was well done just not enough to pull me in. The problem is I probably wasn’t the right audience for this book. The characters had great potential, and I think for the right audience it will be the perfect “feel good” book. I would recommend this one to those that love contemporary romance and characters that are full of life and so much more.

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

Of Gold and Shadows

Author: Michelle Griep

Series: Time’s Lost Treasures #1

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 24, 2024

A story of romance more than anything else. Fans of romance will enjoy this one.

In 1888 a female Egyptologist is not common, but Ami Dalton is just that during the day while using the cover of dark to help save black-market artifacts from the wrong hands, using her alter ego, The Shadow Broker. Edmund Price is planning to run for Parliament and needs an Egyptologist to tell him the value of his new collection. Edmund doesn’t expect Ami when he searches out help from Professor Dalton but soon finds she is just the person to help him.

It might be that I’ve read a few too many historical romances lately but this one fell flat for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the storyline just wasn’t interesting to me as I had hoped. This story was too familiar to some of the ones I had just read and had the “same ole, same ole,” feeling to me without anything new and exciting. It is hard writing these days because there are so many authors and books to battle with making it hard to find the new and exciting reads. The book was not bad by any means, it was just not exciting and what I was hoping for.

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

A Hope Unburied

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Series: Treasures of the Earth #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 24, 2024

A middle of the pack historical romance for me. Good but not great.

Becoming a paleontologist in the early 1900s is not something a woman does, but it is exactly what Eliza Mills does to follow her passion. In order to break into the field, she has had to publish papers under a false name until she is able to earn her place at Carnegie Museum. When she gets the chance to work at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah, she jumps at the chance and finds things aren’t what they seem. Devin Schmitt has been Eliza’s closest friend for years and would love to be more. When he has just about given up on being more than just friends, Eliza asks for him to visit her in Utah. Both Devin and Eliza quickly find themselves in danger and a web of lies and betrayal that may just be impossible to find their way out.

Kimberley Woodhouse is a great writer. I usually enjoy her books, and I did with this one but it was too much of a slow start. The ending made up for it with the high stakes and action. The relationship between Devin and Eliza played out well and once they found themselves in trouble I found myself invested in the story. The early parts of it where too much “woe is me” for the hardships she faced trying to break into the male dominated field. If the story could have focused more on their dynamic earlier on it would have been even more enjoyable. I do think this book is just right for the fans of historical romance and fans of Woodhouse’s writing.

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

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor

Author: Roseanna M. White

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 3, 2024

A delightfully beautiful story with so much more to get readers in the holiday spirit.

Plumford Manor has been the home and hopeful inheritance of Lady Mariah Lyons for years. When the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, her plans change. Cyril was a childhood friend and at one time she had hopes of him becoming more, but as that didn’t happen and he is now the heir, she puts her hopes in him as a good man to do right by her stepfather’s home. Cyril didn’t want to come back to Plumford Manor; he is with Lady Pearl even though his heart still belongs to another. As the holiday season approaches and feelings are in the balance of tearing him apart from those he cares about he tries to determine what path to take before it is too late.

This was a whimsical romance set in the past in a way that pulls readers right along with these characters and takes them along for the romantic ride. With a bit of a slow start, I was surprised to see it pick up pace by the end and finish nicely. The romance was just right pulling me in, even when the story itself felt a bit slow. Mariah and Cyril were good characters to follow along with and want to see succeed. The rest was just there to fill the pages. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy a fun and quick holiday romance.

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

A Token of Love

Author: Carrie Turansky

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 3, 2024

A dual timeline story that is full of mystery, adventure and a perfect amount of romance.

Lillian Freemont wants nothing more than to reunite with her niece, Alice, whom she hasn’t seen in 8 years. 1885 in London makes that more difficult. Lillian gets the help of investigative reporter Matthew McGivern and together they try to track down Alice and can’t hide the growing attraction to one another. In Present day London, Janelle Spencer runs a museum and during a search of the archives with Jonas Conrad she discovers articles from the past that if brought to life will change everything. Janelle wants to protect the reputation of the museum, but it might be harder than she imagined.

I love a good dual timeline story, and this one had the perfect mix of mystery, adventure and intrigue to keep me glued to the page. I enjoyed the present day timeline more than the one set in the past; just the dynamic of it all was more my pace. Janelle and the way she dealt with the mystery and how it would affect the museum had such tight tension, an amazing way to move a story along at a fast pace. This is probably the best Turansky novel I have read and am happy to recommend this one to readers that have enjoyed her work and want to keep reading clean, crisp historical romance.

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

Meddling with Mistletoe

Author: Liz Johnson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Get ready for the holiday season early with a fun and quick read.

Culinary School is going to be the newest adventure Whitney Garrett goes after, if she is able to raise the money for her tuition. One problem after another arises and when her oven goes out, she must ask for help from Marie Sloan, the owner of the local Inn if she can use the one in their kitchen. Whitney gets the go ahead with two issues, she must cook breakfast for those at the Inn and watch the Sloan children. With the holiday season coming up quickly, the Inn is busy with guests; one of those guest is Daniel, who quickly catches her eye and she feels they might be just right for each other.

It’s always fun with the holiday novels come out in September to get me in the spirit for the upcoming seasons. Whitney sure had a lot on her plate with wanting to get into culinary school but having so much to deal with before she could even consider it, but she kept her head up and was able to come out in the end with a smile on her face and mine as I read. There were definitely challenges that she faced and that kept me wanting to turn the pages wanting to find out what was going to happen next for her and hope it would be a happy ending. This book was short, sweet and to the point which was great, quick to read and enjoy. There wasn’t a bunch of fluff and stuff that wasn’t necessary. This will be the perfect holiday read for readers getting ready for the holiday season.

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

The Christmas Tree Farm

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Curl up with a blanket and some hot chocolate to enjoy this perfect holiday read.

Madison McDowell has spent the last few years teaching overseas and when she returns home tired from it all, she has plans to work at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. While she was gone, the farm fell into disrepair and her hopes of a future with the trees and her family is in question. Her sister wants to sell the farm, and the buyer turns out to be Madison’s old flame. With tensions high between her and her sister and the farm about to be sold, she has the cards stacked against her, but the challenge proves to be just what she needs after arriving back home.

Melody Carlson can always be counted on to craft a fun and endearing holiday romance that will get readers in the holiday spirit. Madison is a fun and quirky protagonist that put a smile on my face. I enjoyed the interactions between her and Gavin as she worked to try and save the farm. I always enjoy this time of year when I get these fun holiday books, they are quick and fun to get me in the holiday spirit. I can pretty much sit down and read this in a day. Readers that are looking to get in the holiday spirit will not want to miss this one.

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

Saved by the Matchmaker

Author: Jody Hedlund

Series: A Shanahan Match #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 6, 2024

A delightful historical romance that was charming from beginning to end.

Enya Shanahan has become an embarrassment to her family after an annulment is finalized and scandal follows her every step. Her father wants nothing more than to find a suitable husband for his daughter and now turns to a matchmaker to help him in his quest. Sullivan O’Brien is given an ultimatum by his father, either to get married or be cut off from the family fortune. He has been trying to help aid slaves trying to find their path to freedom and now is forced into a marriage he isn’t sure he wants. Enya and Sullivan are both on a path that leads them straight to each other while also leading them to their darkest fears.

Saved by the Matchmaker was a good historical romance that was a quick read that wasn’t too hard to follow and kept up with the previous from the series. There wasn’t much that stood out in this one as spectacular, it wasn’t bad, it just was delightfully average. Fans of historical romance will enjoy this as a great easy read. Enya wasn’t my favorite as far as female protagonist go but Sullivan was a fun character that had a lot of heart. He is the one I was rooting for as I read through the pages. I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.

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