The Catch

Author: Lisa Harris

Series: US Marshals #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 5, 2022

The third book in the US Marshals series is the best yet, wrapping things up nicely but leaving me aching for more from a series I’ve loved!

US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are back on the case after an attempt is made on a judge’s life. Now they are in search of a missing woman and child that might be in danger connected to the murdered wife of the judge. They thought their hardest case was behind them, but with each clue Madison and Jonas turn up, they discover a tangled web that goes deeper than they could have imagined. Not only do they have a young child and missing woman to find, but they are also on the lookout for the person who shot Madison and left her for dead. The possibility of coming face-to-face with the person that killed her husband is all that she wants and what terrifies her more than anything.

The Catch was a fun conclusion to a great series. For me, I loved the way the story played out finding Madison in danger but keeping her as a strong female protagonist for the story. It can be easy in a story like this to lose sight of the fact that she has trauma she is working through but must be strong for her job and those around her. Playing the part of damsel in distress would have been easy enough, but Madison stayed strong and didn’t want those around her hurt. She used all the pent-up anxiety and energy she had to propel her forward in helping others and being able to solve her greatest mystery. Lisa Harris did a fabulous job of writing these characters and this storyline in a way that kept me engaged and feeling as if I’m following along with these characters as they face many challenges on the job and in their personal lives. This book had a fabulous mix of suspense and romance at just the right times, I never felt like the romance was too much and stayed on the edge of my seat with the tension from all that was happening. I would recommend this series to readers that love following characters on adventures and seeing them grow closer with each book. I would recommend reading the series in order though to get the most out of it and not miss important parts needed to enjoy the most.

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

The Souls of Lost Lake

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: April 5, 2022

Wow! Wow! Wow! Jaime Jo Wright has outdone herself! The Souls of Lost Lake pulled me in deeper than the waters of Lost Lake with a magnificent story that will stay with me long after the last page.

Wren Blythe has a complicated life. She lives with her father, working ministry at a youth camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. She joins in the search for a little girl who has gone missing in the area causing rumors of decades old murderess, Ava Coons, could be involved. In the 1930s, Ava Coons comes out of the woods carrying an ax and covered in blood. Her family’s cabin is found burned to the ground with blood around the ground but no sight of any of her family. At thirteen years old, Ava doesn’t remember what happened to her family and the townspeople blame her for their deaths. Years pass before another murder hits the town and Ava is the prime suspect. Decades separate Ava and Wrene, but there is a wickedness in town that will bring them together to save the lives of those they love.

Jaime Jo Wright is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I was slow to pick up her books because she writes part of her stories in the past and historical fiction has not been one of my top go to genres. But when you write in the way Jamie Jo Wright does, it doesn’t really matter if it is past, present, or future; the story is so good it takes time out of the equation and puts the reader deep within the story. I am finding with each of her books that I read it is better than the last and The Souls of Lost Lake is no exception. Both the past and the present timelines are so intriguing with characters readers will have no choice but to fall in love with and want to desperately find out how their story turns out. I have never enjoyed historical stories much, just hard for me to get into and relate to the characters, but here I have fallen in love with even the secondary characters and can’t wait to turn the pages and see what happens. I started this one while in a reading slump, not even wanting to read for a few weeks, which is very unusual for me, but this book turned me around and I flew through the pages devouring the story within. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great mystery that will be hard to put down and accomplish anything else. One of the rare books I wish I could give more than five stars.

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

Driving Force

Authors: Lynette Eason & Kate Angelo

Series: Elite Guardians

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Release Date: March 22, 2022

The start of a new collection adding to the Elite Guardians series with a fresh author brings a fresh look at an already fantastic series!

The Elite Guardian’s newest member, Christina Sherman is in for a surprise with her newest client she is assigned to protect. Her client is bossy, headstrong, and to top it off, he is a highly trained military working dog called Boss. Special Forces Air Commando Grey Parker is his handler and has been training him to help find explosive materials that no other dog can track. That has made him and especially his dog a target. When Grey is scheduled to undergo a surgery to try and help him to walk again, he needs someone with the right clearance level to handle Boss while he is out of commission. Christina is supposed to keep Boss alive and well but ends up having to protect both he and Grey when they come under attack. What seems at a first to be a normal assignment ends up being more than Christina bargained for, and with more than their lives on the line, The Guardians are going to have to pull all their resources to get the job done.

I have enjoyed the Elite Guardians series by Lynette Eason and when I learned there would be a new set of authors exploring these characters and adding to the series, I was excited. While I was excited, I was also a little bit nervous, Eason has become one of my favorite romantic suspense authors and it is hard to fill those shoes. With Eason as her mentor, Kate Angelo has proven herself with Driving Force. The characters of Christina and Grey are engaging and charismatic in a way that shows the influence of Eason and that made Angelo a great author for this novel. Christina is a great protagonist; strong and full of passion no matter what obstacle she encounters she is going to give it her all. Even with all that said, she isn’t above showing fear in the face of great danger and still letting it work for her. The feelings she develops for Grey and the feelings he develops for her drive the story full speed ahead. I recommend this novel to fans of the Elite Guardians series and even if you haven’t read any of the series you could read this one and enjoy.

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

The Silent Sisters

Author: Robert Dugoni

Series: Charles Jenkins #3

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: February 22, 2022

Another fantastic addition to the Charles Jenkins series full of all the fun, espionage action we have come to love from Dugoni!

After his last mission where he barely escaped Russia alive, Charles Jenkins thinks he can finally settle down with his family and put the spy game behind him. When the final two of the seven sisters, assets who have been deep undercover, have cut off communication and Charles is tasked with finding out if they have been turned, or in hiding. A job that becomes harder as he has been placed on the Russian kill list. Immediately after he arrives, his plans fall apart when he gets involved in the death of the son of one of Russia’s most powerful crime leaders. Now, he must watch every move he makes even more carefully and try to accomplish his assignment without getting caught and killed. All he wants is to make it back home to his family in one piece before his luck runs out.

Every time I pick up a new Robert Dugoni book, I know I am going to be in for a fantastic read. The Charles Jenkins books would normally not be ones I pick up being set in Russia, not what pulls me in usually, but when Robert Dugoni writes it all bets are off and I’m in for the duration of the story. Charles is a character that is full of strength, determination, and will to live and return to his family. He is written in a way that readers will be able to relate to him and want to cheer him on to achieve his mission and return to his family. Each character in this book has a place and purpose; even with several different storylines and many characters it was easy to follow with Dugoni’s smooth writing.

The world of espionage is fun to read about with different settings and people the characters encounter, but it can also be confusing depending on how well it is written. If you pick up a Robert Dugoni novel, doesn’t matter if it is one of the Charles Jenkins novels or one of his Tracy Crosswhite novels, you know you are going to be in for a story that is well written with characters that will pull you in and keep you intrigued by what they are going through and sucked into a really great story. There are some mature themes throughout this book, but it is written so well it never bothered me or took away from the story. I recommend this to those that enjoy thrillers and mysteries, but you will need to have read the first two in the series to get the most out of this one.

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.

Base Notes

Author: Lara Elena Donnelly

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: February 1, 2022

A very different take on the usual mystery genre books; Base Notes is unique and intriguing.

Vic Fowler lives in New York City and has been working as a perfumer trying to make it in the big city for years. During her time there, she has figured out how to use scents to bring about memories, strong memories that some would even kill for. Living in the city cost a lot and her day job isn’t always enough to pay the bills. Vic is approached by one of her former clients, Joseph Eisner, who gives her an opportunity to make the kind of money that is too good to turn down. But it might also be too dangerous to go about by herself. With the help of fellow artists, Vic tries to keep her plans from coming apart and worse things happening, all because of greed.

Base Notes was a completely unique take and not what I expected at all. The beginning started a little slow, but once I got past that it was a quick read with a good female protagonist and storyline. There was a lot of terms and moments dealing with the perfume industry that went over my head and could have been toned down for readers like me. This is not the kind of book you can just breeze through; more time is going to be needed to make it through the pages to get the most out of this one. This is definitely the right book for the right kind of audience, but not for everyone. The writing was very technical at times which lost me, and the tension of the story didn’t pick up quick enough for my liking. Overall, it was a good read but not one I will be racing to read again.

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.

2021 Top Romantic Suspense

The New Year can bring romance, but it can also bring suspense. So why not celebrate with our top choices for the Romantic Suspense genre! Several repeat authors are appearing on this list because they are just so good at what they do!

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin

An absolutely fantastic debut novel! So much suspense, action and truly believable moments. Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.

Read the full review!

Active Defense & Hostile Intent by Lynette Eason

Two more fantastic installments in the Danger Never Sleeps series! Lynette Eason has done it again; her writing puts her on a whole new level with this series. No better time for readers to discover one of the very best in romantic suspense!

Read the full review of Active Defense!

Read the full review of Hostile Intent!

Labyrinth of Lies by Irene Hannon

We’ve read a lot of Irene Hannon books over the years, but we must say this is going to take the top spot out of all her books. The premise hooked us right away! The idea of a female detective that is always mistaken for someone much younger than they are and able to use that to their advantage to go undercover brought her writing to a whole new level!

Read the full review!

Unknown Threat by Lynn Blackburn

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. We absolutely loved the way this story started with a bang and didn’t let up.

Read the full review!

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore

A fantastic police procedural that had us hooked from page one with fantastic character connections and an adrenaline laced story!

Read the full review!

Obsession by Patricia Bradley

A fantastic suspense read with tension at all the right spots! Fans of Patricia Bradley will not want to miss this one. Patricia Bradley is a fantastic Romantic Suspense author and her Natchez Trace series is continuing to be one of our favorites.

Read the full review!

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock

It has been a long wait for a new Terri Blackstock book, and we have to say she did not disappoint with Aftermath. The writing was very well done and kept the suspense throughout all while writing a clean and engaging story.

Read the full review!

2021 Top Suspense Thriller

Merry Christmas Eve! And as one of most suspenseful days of the year, why not celebrate by releasing our top picks for Suspense Thrillers!

Dark Intercept by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

An absolute hit and fantastic start to a new series by a powerhouse author team. This is a great, fast-paced military thriller with a spiritual aspect that gets dark but keeps the light. Once you read it, you’ll see why it was our top pick for the year!

Read the full review!

In Her Tracks by Robert Dugoni

It’s hard to beat a Tracy Crosswhite novel! This newest addition in this fantastic series comes close to the first installment in terms of being our favorite! Fans of the series, and thrillers in general, will not want to miss this one!

Read the full review!

Play Dead by Ted Dekker

It has been a long time since we have had a true Dekker suspense novel and this one is classic Dekker. What that means is you are getting a top-notch thriller with a deep message about Virtual Reality, what awaits us in this life and the afterlife, and maybe even a little more.

Read the full review!

The Paris Betrayal by James Hannibal

A fast action, spy thriller that had us hooked and our hearts racing until the final chapter! Hannibal stepped up his game in 2021 and let us thirsty for more!

Read the full review!

Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill

The second installment in the Amara Alvarez series starts with a bang and doesn’t let up. This is our kind of suspense novel, a top-notch strong female protagonist that will stop at nothing to do her job and prove others wrong.

Read the full review!