Target Acquired

Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Lake City Heroes #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Target Acquired was a perfect bullseye by Lynette Eason that readers will love to devour!

Kenzie King has worked hard to earn her place on the SWAT team as their medic and is finding it hard to fit in with all her male coworkers. Not everyone is thrilled to have her on the team but Cole Garrison, the team leader, is determined to help her find her place. Cole and Kenzie are not only faced with getting the team to accept her but also deal with someone who is out to take the team down.

I’ve read a lot of Romantic Suspense books, and a lot by Lynette Eason, but this one is going to rank up towards the top of that list. Kenzie was a top-notch character that had depth, heart and kept me feeling all the emotions. The attraction between her and Cole was obvious from the beginning but the way it was played out was perfect for me. Some of the members of the SWAT team were a bit annoying but mainly in the way they were supposed to be written, which was a job well done by Eason. Each romantic suspense book I pick up is either a great read or the same old same old. This one was a great addition to my Lynette Eason shelf, and I believe that readers 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.

Cold Vengeance

Author: Nancy Mehl

Series: Ryland & St. Clair #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 16, 2024

By far the best book in the series and the best book I have read by Nancy Mehl! Cold Vengeance is a must read for fans of Christian Fiction!

River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are retired from the FBI after years of being there and leaving after a nasty case affected them both. Now they have their own private investigators office and are working to help solve cold cases in their hometown while River also helps take care of her mother who is having memory issues. They are tasked with a case after a crime podcaster goes missing and her boyfriend knows she is still alive and would never leave him. This case becomes more and more complicated with each turn. Not only are they trying to locate the missing podcaster, but they are also dealing with an enemy who has been after them for years. In order to survive, they will have to trust each other like never before.

Cold Vengeance was a great read. I loved the way it played out, especially the last few chapters wrapping things up nicely for the series. In a way I’m sad to see this series end, it has been one of the better romantic suspense ones I have read in a long time. It seems that a good portion of the romantic suspense out now is a formula that is all the same, I was pleased to really enjoy this one from start to finish. River is a great female protagonist and I enjoyed following along with her as she and Tony got closer with each case. I would recommend this book to fans of Christian romantic suspense for a great series with fun characters and lots of twists and turns.

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

One Last Chance

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Alaska Air One Rescue #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 4, 2024

The second book in the Alaska Air One Rescue series is full of action, adventure and all the things you would expect from a Susan May Warren novel.

Axel Mulligan returned home to Alaska after an unfortunate incident while he was working for the Coast Guard three years earlier. Now, he works for the Air One rescue team and is sometimes seen as a wild man that will do anything to save lives. While he is out to help rescue tourists, he ends up being the one that needs to be saved. He hears a voice on the other end of his radio that helps to give him hope and keep fighting. Flynn Turnquist comes to Alaska to find answers and ends up helping save Axel before trying to find a serial killer she has been tracking. Axel now spends his time and energy trying to help Flynn and together they uncover more danger than they could have realized.

The second book in the Alaska Air One Rescue series is a great addition to an action-packed list of books by Susan May Warren. This is a great new series and I loved the second installment. Axel and Flynn were a fantastic protagonist duo. The back and forth between them and the danger they found themselves in only helped to keep me glued to the page to see if they would come out safe and happy in the end. There were plenty of twists and turns, even up until the very end keeping me satisfied with the storyline and how Warren played each detail out. With a lot of Romantic Suspense books, they can end up feeling the same as readers get into the story, and I have had this happen with a book or two of hers, but this one felt fresh and entertaining throughout. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy Susan May Warren’s writing and great romantic suspense.

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

One Wrong Move

Author: Dani Pettrey

Series: Jeopardy Falls #1

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: February 6, 2024

A fantastic romantic suspense book by an author that fans of Christian fiction have grown to love.

When Christian O’Brady left his adolescent life behind, he wanted nothing more than to prove he was no longer a criminal and only wants to help people. He uses his past to become an expert on security and helps others stay safe. After a group of art thieves attack a gallery he helps provide security for, he works with Andi Forester, an insurance investigator to figure out who is behind the heists and stop them before they hit again.

It had been far too long since I had a new Dani Pettrey book before picking One Wrong Move. As the start of the newest series Pettrey sets up a fantastic plot line and characters that I couldn’t help but root for. Christian and Andi both have complicated pasts that end up intertwined in an interesting way throughout the story making them more endearing as the pages turn. The closer they got to finding the truth the more danger they find themselves in. There are plenty of questions left at the end of the story that leaves it open for the next on the series. I loved the way the story wrapped up but also left it open for more to come with the next in the series. This book is great for readers that love romantic suspense.

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

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.

The Butcher and the Wren

Author: Alaina Urquhart

Series: Dr. Wren #1

Publisher: Zando

Release Date: July 25, 2023

A slow start but a massively entertaining ending.

Tales from true crime podcast host following a medical examiner and serial killer. Deep in the Louisiana bayou, a killer is hiding and waiting for just the right moment to strike. Dr. Wren Muller has been working as a forensic pathologist with a deep dark secret. Her past has helped her solve every case brought in front of her until now, and if she is able to dive deep into what this killer is doing, it will take her back to the past she has tried so hard to escape.

I have had this book on my shelves for months and when I finally decided to pick it up. I was kicking myself for not reading it sooner! It was a bit of a slow start but by the end I loved the twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Wren is a fun character that once the big reveal happened for her as a character, I sat with my mouth open in shock loving how it played out. I connected with Wren to begin with and then even more so as the twists presented themselves and I loved it even more. I didn’t realize until reading it that it was the start of a series and more is to come which makes me so happy and will continue to dive into this series. I would recommend this to anyone who loves suspense thrillers with fantastic twists.

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

The Crown Conspiracy

Author: Connie Mann

Series: Speranza Team #1

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: June 4, 2024

A fun and dynamic read full of action, suspense and high-stakes until the very end.

Sophie Williams is a top-of-the-line art thief and forger who has worked for years to get stolen art back into the hands of those it belongs. Her best friend owns an art gallery in Germany and when a long-lost painting of the royals shows up at her door, Sophie ends up in the spotlight, the last thing she wants. The painting brings up all kinds of questions that lead to one of the biggest mysteries that they can hopefully solve together, before it is too late.

The Crown Conspiracy is a new, fun and clean thriller that will leave mystery lovers turning the pages at record speed to figure out the mysteries throughout. I loved the way that this book was clean, thrilling and so different than most I have read recently. The storyline was fun, the mystery hooked me and the characters had me invested in their outcome, a perfect combination for a winning read. Sophie was a fun character, but for me, I was more invested in her friend and all that she was going through. I know this one shows as the beginning of a new series and I can’t wait to see what comes next. This book is great for those that love adventure, action, and art.

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

Lost to Dune Road

Author: Kara Thomas

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: April 16, 2024

What seems to be true might not be the safest thing to believe in this twisty tale of murder and danger at every turn.

Lee Ellerin worked as a reporter until she was discredited and has now been working as a private investigator. She uses her reporting skills to help solve cases for a lawyer who has helped her in the past. When the case that cost her career comes back around in connection to a new one, Lee is thrust back to Dune Road where it all began and has to work all the angles in order to try and solve cases old and new before she is stopped.

Lost to Dune Road was a very twisty tale of murder, abuse of power, and danger at every turn. I enjoyed the way Thomas crafted the cases to connect over time and how Lee worked to solve them, not only to prove herself innocent of what lost her the reporting job she loved, but also to help a mother find answers to what happened to her daughter. The relationship forged between Lee and the mother trying to figure out what happened to her daughter. While this wasn’t my favorite book so far this year, I did enjoy the mystery and suspense of it and was eager to see the outcome. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a suspense book with a lot of good twists and turns.

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

Friends in Napa

Author: Sheila Yasmin Marikar

Publisher: Mindy’s Book Studio

Release Date: April 1, 2024

A dark, twisty and sometimes funny story that will take readers on a trip to wine country for a decent read that fell short by the end.

When a group of friends from college get together for a weekend in Napa, things don’t go as planned. Tensions start from the beginning of the trip with a brick through a window and then old issues between friends pop up and friendships that have lasted a long time start to come unraveled within a short amount of time. When one friend ends up dead, the rest have motives and secrets to stay hidden.

I was really looking forward to this book; it promised an interesting plot with some humor but it fell short of my expectations. I thought the suspense was good at times but the humor that was inserted felt forced. I didn’t really have a connection with any of the characters which always takes me out of the story, and once that happens it is hard to get reconnected. The setting was one of the best aspects of the book, I felt I was in the Napa Valley even though I have never been. I do feel this is the right book for some, but it just wasn’t for me. Those that like humor within their suspense will enjoy this one.

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.