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.

A Killing on the Hill

Author: Robert Dugoni

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: April 9, 2024

A very different book by Dugoni, but still an outstanding thriller that will find a whole new audience for this fabulous author.

In Seattle in 1933, it is the middle of the Great Depression and Prohibition when William “Shoe” Shumacher is working as a reporter trying to make enough to get by and maybe send some money home to help his family. One night he gets a call about a murder up on Profanity Hill and when he arrives, he finds himself the first reporter on scene of what will be the story to change his career. Killed at the club is Frankie Ray and the owner of the club is the one on trial for murder. Shoe now works with the detectives to help uncover the truth of what happened, but the more clues he finds, the more danger he finds himself in as well in a case that is anything but ordinary.

Robert Dugoni is a master thriller writer; he is one of my absolute favorite authors and I will pick up anything he has written without thinking about it, I’m that sure I will enjoy it. While a historical read is not usually a type of book I enjoy very much, this one is written well and flows quickly keeping the reader engaged. I can’t say this is my favorite book by him, but it was an enjoyable read. I don’t think any other writer could have written a historical novel like this and made me enjoy it to the level I did. William is a great protagonist and the way he goes up against those trying to bring him down is great and inspiring. One of the things Dugoni does best is make you fall in love with characters and want to see them succeed. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a great thriller.

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

Fatal Domain

Author: Steven James

Series: Travis Brock Thriller #2

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Another fabulous thriller by Steven James that is full of intertwined moments making for a complex and amazing story.

Travis Brock works as a redactor at the Pentagon and with his eidetic memory he is able to remember everything he reads which makes him very valuable to the wrong people. Travis is still working on getting over the pain of his wife dying in the fire at their house that left him with burns on his body. When evidence surfaces that his wife might actually be alive and be the one behind the fire, Travis and his team are pulled into a bigger plot that could mean trouble for the whole country.

Steven James has been called a “Master Storyteller” for a reason. He has a way of crafting amazing stories that are twisted and full of puzzle pieces that all fit together nicely at the end for an amazing story. His stories are not the kind you can read haphazardly and not pay attention to every detail; you will definitely miss key details needed for the rest of the story. I love the way he drops crumbs throughout that may not make sense until you get to the end and when they fit together puts a smile on my face. James is the kind of author that as soon as I know he has a book coming out I am waiting by the mailbox for it to come in and start devouring the pages. I would recommend reading the first book in this series before starting this one for sure. Fans of Steven James and anyone who loves a good suspense book 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.

Never Fall Again

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Series: Gossamer Falls #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 12, 2024

Lynn H. Blackburn at her best with the start of her newest series. Never Fall Again is a top-notch romantic suspense story!

Landry Hutton got out of a bad family situation with her daughter and has spent the last three years rebuilding their lives at The Haven outside of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. She teaches art classes and gives her daughter the best life she can. Wanting to build a house close to her work, she hires Callum Shaw to do the construction and the attraction between the two is hard to deny. Cal had a hard past with dating someone with a kid that broke his heart and is hesitant to get involved with anyone at the moment. Cal is about to start construction when Landry is the victim of vandals who destroy her work and set fire to her studio. He vows to keep Landry and her daughter safe, something that proves to be harder than expected.

Never Fall Again is the newest edition in Christian Romantic Suspense and it is a great addition. While it did start just a little bit on the slow side, it picked up speed quickly and never slowed down. Landry and Cal had a great chemistry, especially when all the family got involved. Such a large extended family is going to make for an interesting series as it moves forward. The tension was tight throughout, and Blackburn did a fantastic job keeping me engaged and wanting to see a happy outcome for all these characters. At times I can get tired of romantic suspense books because they tend to end up all alike, but this one was different and had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what the outcome would be. I’m happy to say this one hit the mark. I recommend this book to fans of Blackburn and those that love hard-hitting romantic suspense.

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

Fatal Witness

Author: Patricia Bradley

Series: Pearl River #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Another great romantic suspense by Patricia Bradley that kept me up way past my bedtime.

Mae Richmond had been searching for her missing granddaughter for over two decades. When she sees a picture in a magazine of a woman she knows has to be her missing granddaughter, she sets in motion all she needs to find her. Dani Bennett saw her parents murdered when she was a child but doesn’t remember it and since that day, she has lived with her “Uncle Keith” who was always overprotective, but she never understood why. When she is contacted by her grandmother and goes back home to try and find all the memories, she can’t seem to remember. But it all goes wrong when she makes it back and finds someone coming after her for what she doesn’t know.

While this was a good romantic suspense, it had moments that left me underwhelmed. I flew through the pages but somewhere less memorable than others. Patricia Bradley is a great romantic suspense writer, but this story did fall a little flat for me. The story was a little on the more original side with the focus being more on Mae and her mission to find her granddaughter, which was what kept me connected to the story. Mae was a fun and spunky character, and it would be nice to see more from her in coming stories. Dani couldn’t remember some of her past, but she didn’t let that define her future and I liked that about her. The romance aspect came on a little strong with Mark and some at times I wasn’t as interested in seeing them come together as a couple as I would have liked. I do recommend this book to those that love romantic suspense, it is the right book for that genre.

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

Cold Threat

Author: Nancy Mehl

Series: Ryland & St. Clair #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: January 23, 2024

A good read that felt familiar, like an old friend, a very enjoyable read.

It’s been twenty years since a serial killer known as the snowman murdered several people in Des Moines. Things seem to have stopped until similar murders start up in a small Iowa town and a detective from the original crimes is determined they are related. River Ryland and Tony St. Clair come to help Tony’s father try and solve the case that has haunted him for years. They don’t have long before another murder happens, and they work to uncover the evil that has been around for far too long.

I have been wracking my brain for days trying to figure out why this story seems so familiar, still haven’t figured it out. Something about the storyline was like déjà vu with each chapter. The storyline itself was good and kept me interested, I just wish I could figure out why it seems so familiar, especially the part about how the bad guys subdue their targets. I do like the slow burn between River and Tony, it is so much better than when things are rushed. This is a quick read that fans of Romantic Suspense will not want to miss.

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

Double Take

Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Lake City Heroes #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 9, 2023

Lynette Eason starts the New Year off with a bang in her new series! Double Take is a fantastic romantic suspense read with all the right stuff!

Lainie Jackson is still trying to deal with the fact that her fiancé tried to kill her and she ended up killing him in self-defense. It’s been 18 months, and she wants to move on but when she thinks she sees him at the hospital where she works, all the bad memories come back. When an attempt is made on her life, she can’t help but think maybe he is back for revenge. She receives help from Detective James Cross, the brother of one of her longest friends. James finds his work cut out for himself trying to keep Lainie safe and the more time they spend together the more attraction they find to each other and the more danger they encounter.

I’ve read a lot of Romantic suspense and this one is by far at the top of the list. The way Lynette Eason crafted this story had me hooked and wanting nothing more than to see these characters find a safe and happy ending. The cat and mouse gam that Lainie was thrown into made the tension rise with each page turned. This looks to be the start of an amazing series and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here. A lot of authors I read have gotten into the habit of writing the same types of stories that just aren’t interesting after a while; Eason is above the rest and only gets better with each book she writes!

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