Hidden in the Night

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Series: Missing in Alaska #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 4, 2024

The third book in the Missing in Alaska series fell a little short of my expectations but is still a good romantic suspense read.

When Ivy Elliott’s mother asks her to find a rare book, she moves heaven and earth to accomplish this sending her to Alaska looking for the unpublished Jack London manuscript seemingly lost decades ago. Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long finds himself helping Ivy after a blizzard hits and dead bodies turn up in the search for the missing book. Along with the missing book they are in search of a missing girl who might be the key to finding all they search for.

Hidden in the Night follows the first two books in the series which I really enjoyed and was expecting to enjoy this one as well but unfortunately this one fell short. I just couldn’t get myself connected to the characters and even though I was intrigued with the missing London manuscript, it wasn’t enough to keep me focused on the pages. The romance aspect was well played and did hold my interest better. Even though this wasn’t my favorite, I do believe fans of romantic suspense will enjoy it.

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

Her Part to Play

Author: Jenny Erlingsson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 18, 2024

A story about love, redemption and interracial tension that is a great story for today’s readers.

Adanne works as a hairstylist and makeup artist. When a movie shoot in her town needs an extra artist for their film, she comes on and uses the opportunity given to her to try and help her family. What she doesn’t realize is that this job will bring her face to face with the actor that got her fired from her last job. John Pope has turned his life over to God and in the process has tried to make up for the mistakes of his past. When he feels an attraction to Adanne, he wonders if it could be too good to be true.

I had high hopes for this book, and while it was great writing from a debut author, I just couldn’t connect. I also feel like this one was far too similar to one I recently read by Toni Shiloh. I think it is great that there are more diverse books coming to the Christian fiction shelves by these authors, but they are starting to seem very similar and nothing unique about them. That is kind of becoming the case with a lot of the romantic suspense, historical romance and even contemporary romance genre books. It would be great to have something unique and new cross my shelves soon, unfortunately this one wasn’t it. I would recommend this to readers that are looking for those diverse books and enjoy contemporary romance.

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

Rocky Mountain Journey

Author: Misty M. Beller

Series: Sisters of the Rockies #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 18, 2024

The third book in the Sisters of the Rockies series will take readers back to the Rockies and the Collins family.

Faith Collins goes looking for the man who helped save her father’s life, but in the search, she disguises herself as a man and goes with a group of trappers to help her on her quest. Grant Allen is also on a quest; he is looking for his brother who he hasn’t seen since his parent’s died years ago. He hears that his brother is in the Rockies and he doesn’t hesitate to head that way with a group of trappers. This is where he meets Faith and tries to figure out why she is pretending to be a man and with the group.

Of the three books in this series, this one has become my favorite. I loved the interactions between Faith and Grant. They were both great characters that had me invested in what they were trying to accomplish. The setting was also a plus, making me feel as if I was on my way to the Rockies with them. Fans of historical romance will fall in love with this family and the adventures they go on. I loved the way this story played out and the interactions between the protagonists kept me glued to the pages.

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

The Song of Sourwood Mountain

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Ann H. Gabhart’s newest is like a hug from an old friend at just the right time.

Mira Dean has wanted nothing more than to become a wife and mother, but when her fiancé dies of tuberculosis, her hopes seem to be dashed. She works as a schoolteacher and one day a former student, Gordon Covington, shows up and is now a preacher. He wants Mira to come teach at his mission school and then asks her to marry him. Have her dreams come true? Is it all too good to be true?

Ann H. Gabhart has written a wide range of novels, historical fiction to romantic suspense and has had success with both. The romantic suspense is more my preferred genre but have also enjoyed her historical romance novels. This one was good but not great, the story itself flowed well but I had trouble connecting to the characters which took me out of the story and had a hard time getting back to it and wanting to continue. This is a good book for those that enjoy historical romance though.

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

Secondary Target

Author: Angela Carlisle

Series: The Secrets of Kincaid #1

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 7, 2024

This was a surprise hit for me! I loved the way this romantic suspense played out!

Corina Roberts has been making a life for herself in Kentucky after a rough past. Her mother and brother were killed twelve years ago and now strange things are happening to bring up the past. One of the things she doesn’t want to do is reconnect with her ex, who just happens to show up and be the one person there when she needs him most. Bryce has returned from service and uses his military skills to help keep Corina Safe.

This is a new author that is being flung deep into the sea along with many other romantic suspense authors. It is a hard thing to do, enter a market already deep with the same thing. I was skeptical about going for this one and give it my time, but it did surprise me with the way it hooked me and kept me engaged with the characters. I really felt connected with Corina and wanted to see her come out of a bad situation safe and happy. The love connection was a secondary target, pun intended, for me with this story. There was plenty of tension, romance, suspense and all the right moments to keep me turning the pages. I’m hoping to see more from this author and if so, I will be happy to pick them up and be a happy reader. I recommend this book to those that enjoy great romantic suspense with even better characters.

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

A Run at Love

Author: Toni Shiloh

Series: Love in the Spotlight #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Another endearing romance by Toni Shiloh who is making a name for herself in the Christian fiction section.

Piper McKinney is a black woman trying to make a name for herself in the world of horse-racing. There aren’t many others of color in the world she is trying to break into and as she works to get her horse a winner in the Kentucky Derby, she knows she might need a little help. Tucker Hale is her best friend and trainer and works to help Piper achieve her dream when a scandal hits the media that affects them all.

Toni Shiloh is becoming a big name within the Christian romance writers with a story that is great for all readers but especially readers of color looking for that in books. Many readers would love to find more books with diverse colors and Shiloh is doing a great job of providing that for readers. Not only that, but the stories are also very well written and entertaining. I enjoy the way she writes and while romance isn’t my preferred genre to read, I do enjoy the way she writes. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great contemporary romance with diverse characters.

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

A Season of Harvest

Author: Lauraine Snelling

Series: Leah’s Garden #4

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: January 30, 2024

Oh I love a sweet budding romance type novel and this one hit the target with a perfect bullseye!

Larkspur Nielsen runs a homestead with her sisters and even though they have been struggling she is determined to stay strong and keep at it. With the troubles at the homestead she hasn’t had time to worry about her heart. That is until Isaac McTavish comes to town and tries to convince her to let him help. It doesn’t take long for feelings to develop between the two and even more trouble for her at the homestead.

A Season of Harvest is a sweet romance that readers of historical romance will quickly fall in love with. The story played out in such a sweet way that I found myself smiling as I turned the pages. The story has a picture painted so clearly that I felt like I was standing in the places along with these characters. This is the fourth book in the series and while it could possibly be read as a standalone ,I would recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of each and every book. This book has a high faith element and readers will feel that connection as they read and hopefully get something out of it more than just a good story. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy historical romance in the best sense.

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

A Noble Scheme

Author: Roseanna M. White

Series: The Imposters #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: March 19, 2024

A very clever and fun historical romance with more to it than meets the eye at first glance.

Gemma Parks broke Graham Wharton’s heart and working as a columnist in London, she works to help the Imposters. She uses her skills as an investigator to help them gather intel, but Graham is in the way of her investigation and her heart healing. When the Imposters take on a bigger job of helping in the investigation of a kidnapping Graham uses the time to not only find the missing boy but also try to get back with the woman he still loves.

A Noble Scheme is a great addition to the historical romance bookshelves. I enjoyed the investigation that Gemma and Graham investigated and how it was able to bring them back together. It was played out well in a back and forth between the two in a slow steady way that never felt rushed. Gemma was a tough cookie, but Graham was patient and determined to get back what he lost. There was a great aspect to the love story and the suspense of all they were looking into was top notch. I recommend this book to those that enjoy clean historical romance.

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

Just for the Summer

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 19, 2024

A sweet contemporary romance that will put a smile on readers’ faces.

Ginny Masters lives in Seattle and works at one of the hotel boutiques. It is a good job but hard and a boss that demands a bit much at times. Jacqueline Potter has trouble finding a job with her hospitality degree, so she works at her grandfather’s Idaho fishing lodge. The two get together and decide that for the summer they should switch things up and see if it helps their lives on every front including their love lives.

Melody Carlson is becoming a go-to for me when I want a good contemporary romance read. This was a fun read about switching places and finding something when you least expect it. Ginny and Jacqueline were so fun to read and see what they were going through and how it changed when they switched places. This is the kind of book that readers can sit down and fly through the pages in one sitting, an easy-breazy kind of book that all can enjoy. I recommend this to those that love contemporary romance reads and if you have read Melody Carlson you know you will love this one.

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

Set in Stone

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Series: Treasures of the Earth #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: March 12, 2024

Set in Stone is much more than a Historical Romance, it is adventurous, fun and just a great read.

Martha Jankowski has always dreamed of working as a paleontologist and as her dreams come true and she is about to uncover a huge find when another team of paleontologists try to come and steal her find. Jacob Duncan has been working as a student digging for dinosaur bones when he meets Martha Jankowski, and they clash over the dig and feelings that rush to the surface between the two of them.

Set in Stone is another Kimberley Woodhouse book that readers of her work will not want to miss. This was just what I have come to expect from Woodhouse, a good book with a story that has heart, humor and an adventurous storyline. Martha was a protagonist I enjoyed reading, her love for paleontology made her more interesting, especially for being set in the time period it is with this being an unusual occupation for a woman. This was more than a historical romance and I loved it. This is a book that readers of historical fiction will love.

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