The Family Bones

Author: Elle Marr

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: March 7, 2023

When does a psychopath make the jump to serial killer?

Olivia Eriksen is a member of one of the most notorious psychopathic families of the last century. But more than that, her direct line of ancestors abducted and killed young women and even murdered each other. Needless to say, the gene for being a psychopath is hereditary, but not everyone makes the jump to becoming a killer. Olivia is working on her doctorate to prove that is the case. When she gets an invitation to the Eriksen family reunion in Oregon, her mother convinces her to go so that she can work on her research. She even takes her fiancé along so that they can begin to introduce their relationship to her family. However, things at the reunion turn dark quickly as members of the family begin to turn up dead and the evidence points toward Olivia being the killer. Can she prove her innocence? Or did she make the psychotic jump without knowing it?

This was definitely a different kind of read where the reader is trying to figure out what is going on with the main character. Told from Olivia’s perspective, everything seems as if she is being framed. On top of everything, she is dealing with a lot of pressure from her fiancé to go public. Truthfully, I couldn’t stand the guy because he was such a whiner about her not wanting to bring their engagement to light when all this death is going on around them. Aside from that, it is a really interesting concept that makes you think concerning being around a family that has psychopathic tendencies. There is some strong language throughout and some implied sex that would make this suitable for mature audiences.

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

Under Fire

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Series: Defend and Protect #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 7, 2023

The third book in the Defend and Protect series is by far the best and probably my favorite of all the books I’ve read by Blackburn!

Secret Service Agent Zane Thacker is now working to protect the President and even though it’s his dream job, he isn’t fully happy. He is now assigned to go back to Raleigh, North Carolina to help when the president goes on an event there. He gets to work with his best friend, Special Agent Tessa Reed; not only is she his best friend she is also the woman he is secretly in love with. Tessa has been working through her past dealing with her problems with alcohol and healing from her demons. Zane knows her deepest darkest secrets and Tessa doesn’t want to do anything that jeopardize their friendship in any way. She oversees arranging the protection for the President on his trip to Raleigh and every step of the way problems arise threatening the President and those assigned to protect.

This is the third book in the Defend and Protect series and having read all in the series, I am happy to say this is my favorite. Lynn Blackburn is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors and Under Fire lives up to my expectations of what I’m going to get when I pick up one of her books. Which is nice to say after being extremely underwhelmed by most of the romantic suspense books I have read lately. Christian fiction has become a growing market with many more options than in decades past. Blackburn has managed to overcome the typical genre stereotype formula to create a unique series that continues to be interesting. She has restored my faith with Under Fire and kept me on the edge of my seat and loving the dynamic between Zane and Tessa. Fans of the series 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.

The Greedy Three

Author: Karen Katchur

Publisher: Podlum Publishing

Release Date: February 28, 2023

A dark and twisted tale of greed and how far some are willing to go for what they want.

Noah has worked hard to build his reputation as a respectable person to do business with, even if that business happens to involve buying and selling babies. His newest clients want a three-week-old baby and he has everything lined out when it all goes wrong.

Hester lives in a cabin in the woods and stays to herself after a restraining order placed against her keeps her from seeing her daughter and family. Hester only wants to help but her actions always seem to be seen the wrong way and she ends up in trouble. One night she hears a knock on her door and opens it to find a young girl holding a baby in need of help. She takes the girl in and tries to help, but it isn’t long before Noah shows up looking for them and money taken from him. Between the three of them things turn tense quickly and no one will emerge unharmed.

This book was not what I expected, but in a good way. After finishing a book that was just so-so, I enjoyed this book more than I expected. The tension throughout was well done and the characters kept me engaged. Hester was the most well written in my opinion, she had gone through a lot, but it was obvious she was just trying to do what she could to help, even if she went about it the wrong way. Each character was greedy in their own way, just like the title suggested. There was more to the story than simply implied at the beginning and I really loved the way that played out. There was some language and darker themes throughout that make it not good for anyone younger to read. I do recommend this book to those that enjoy suspense thrillers.

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

Bright and Deadly Things

Author: Lexie Elliott

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: February 14, 2023

A strange and twisted tale full of unexpected twists and turns from beginning to end!

Set in a remote mountaintop cabin in the French Alps, a group of scholars go to a retreat where things turn deadly. Emily is trying to find a place for herself after the death of her husband and the secrets revealed at the cabin. With each passing hour at the cabin. things start to feel off and Emily notices behavior changing in her and the others. When one member is found dead, every one is a suspect and Emily doesn’t know who she can trust anymore and who might be out to get her.

Bright and Deadly Things starts out with an interesting premise and readers will have to go into it with an open mind as it goes more from suspense thriller to a psychological thriller. The one thing it is for sure is a thriller; there are twists and turns all over the place and the plot plays out well. I had a little trouble connecting with the characters and wanting to make sure they all came out safe by the end. I just didn’t care that much which is never a good thing when reading a story and wanting/needing to connect with the characters and what they are going through. I would recommend this book to those that really enjoy psychological thrillers.

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

Cold Light of Day

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Series: Missing in Alaska #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 7, 2023

A great addition for any fans of romantic suspense.

Autumn Long and family moved to Alaska after her mother died in a boating accident. When her father has to retire as police chief of their small town, Autumn takes over and does her best to protect their town. When dead bodies start turning up and crime increases around town, Autumn has to rely on the town’s newest resident, Grier Brennner, to help her figure out who is behind the murders and stop them before anyone else winds up dead.

Cold Light of Day is the first book in the newest series by Elizabeth Goddard. It follows Autumn Long as she tries to solve crimes and keep the job she has grown to love. The added pressure of having her job in jeopardy along with solving the crimes helps to make the story more intense and move at a faster pace. I enjoyed the Alaskan setting and danger the characters found themselves in. I was a little put off by the romance aspect and how fast that aspect of the story moved. That is the issue I have with romantic suspense, if the romance aspect is over done it takes away from the suspense and my enjoyment of the story. It is a fine line for authors to walk getting these characters together in a way and timeline that is believable.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book that fans of romantic suspense will not want to miss. I can’t wait to see what this series has in store for readers in the coming books.

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

Brooke

Author: Ronie Kendig

Series: The Metcalfes #4

Publisher: Task Force Press

Release Date: February 6, 2023

Another gritty, hard-hitting story from Ronie Kendig that tackles a hard topic and is written so beautifully.

Brooke Metcalfe Mulroney has worked so hard and sacrificed family and other relationships to get to where she is in life. But after an unexpected visitor shows up in her life, things change drastically. She ends up deep in the world of human trafficking causing Cord Taggart to try and track her down and involve her brothers. Cord has had a thing for Brooke for a long time and when she is missing he puts all aside to try and find her before it is too late.

The Metcalf series by Ronie Kendig is a hard-hitting set of books that tackle very hard topics that might be hard for some readers to take in, but Kendig handles the topic very smoothly. These books are classified as romantic suspense and for me they are the best kind of romantic suspense, way more suspense than gushy romance. I was hooked from page one with this story; I didn’t think she could top Willow but sure enough I think Brooke is my favorite from the series. The topic is a hard one but the way it is written with high tension and stakes at all the right times makes the story fly and makes readers connect with characters on a deep level.

I always say suspense is my favorite genre, but honestly, I just want a well-written story that keeps me engaged with the characters and story. This series is just that and so much more. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a fast paced romantic suspense read that will keep them up far past their bedtime.

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

What Happens Next

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: January 17, 2023

A little different that what I’ve come to expect from Nelson, but I like it!

Recently divorced Faith Byrne has taken her past career as an investigative reporter and shifted to performing a podcast that focus on redemptive stories of people who have experience traumatic events. When her ex-husband gets permission to take their two daughters to Hawaii for the entire summer, Faith isn’t sure what to do with herself until she receives an unexpected letter from one of her childhood friend’s sister. Faith had always wondered what she had done for her summer of 1987 friend to never respond to her letters, but she finds out that she went missing after school started that year, but her family never told her. Heather’s sister, Brooke, solicits Faith’s help on her podcast to bring her missing sister’s story to light so that her family might finally find closure. But as Faith digs into the story, what she finds is anything that she expected.

I love Christina Suzann Nelson’s contemporary stories and look forward to her newest book every year. This one was a little different than anything she has written in the past, but I loved it! It was interesting to see how everything played out and if the reader could follow the clues to discover the truth before Faith did. Nelson did a great job of balancing mystery and intrigue with hope and healing for Heather’s family. Showing how grief support groups can help families heal and not store grief for years is something that needs to be shown more throughout our society. If you love a good mystery, this will be a good story for you to pick up on!

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

Critical Threat

Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Extreme Measures #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 3, 2023

The third installment in the Extreme Measures series is another romantic suspense that will give readers exactly what they have come to expect from this genre.

Grace Billingsley works as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to help track down serial killers. When a new killer shows up with the same MO as a serial killer that’s been behind bars for years, prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe is pulled in to help with the case. Sam is the son of famed serial killer Peter Ramanos and is the one that turned his father into the authorities when he found evidence of him being a killer. Sam and Grace end up working together and quickly make a connection. Sam doesn’t want to get involved with anyone because of his father and tries to keep his feelings for Grace from growing. The more they investigate the case, the harder it is to stay away from each other and the more danger they find themselves in.

Lynette Eason has continued to craft a great series in book three as Critical Threat. I have been a fan of her writing for a long time and know I’m going to get a great story. For me though I was slightly disappointed with this one; right when it seemed the action was getting good and tension was going to be at its highest things just fizzled out. I had so much hope for how it was going to go, and it just didn’t reach it for me. I had a harder time connecting with the characters as quickly as I normally do with her books, but I just felt a little let down with this one. That’s not going to turn me off her books though; I will still quickly grab up the next one that comes out looking for edge of my seat suspense and hope that this one was just a fluke that it didn’t hit the mark with me. I recommend to readers looking for a light romantic suspense that will be a quick read not requiring much thinking.

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

2022 Top Romantic Suspense

Our next genre has no shortage of picks to choose from, but only a few can make the cut. Any of these your favorites?

Top Picks: Stone & Willow by Ronie Kendig

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.

Read the full review here.

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Runner Up: Life Flight by Lynette Eason

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.

Read the full review here.

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Honorable Mention: Malicious Intent Lynn H. Blackburn

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.

Read the full review here.

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Honorable Mention: The Epic Story of RJ and York by Susan May Warren

If you have been a fan of Susan May Warren’s Montana Marshall series, you are familiar with RJ and York and their relationship. This series is going to make readers very happy seeing this fun couple go through all kinds of obstacles just to be together. These books have non-stop action with tension in all the right places and the right amount of humor between the characters to keep the story moving along. Fans of the Marshalls will not want to miss out on this one.

Read the full review here.

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Dark Fall

Authors: Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

Series: The Shepherd Series #3

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: November 8, 2022

The powerhouse duo of Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson have done it again with Dark Fall! One of the most action-packed, adrenaline laced thrillers I have read this year.

The Shepherds are called in on a mission after a village in Peru is found in ashes leading them to question if it is from a human weapon or some higher power. Jedidiah Johnson is the leader of the group and as they head to investigate rumors of a new energy-based weapon, tensions mount as the weapon is unlike anything any of them have ever dealt with. The team heads to Hong Kong to try and find a scientist that helped create the weapon but what they learn from Dr. Zhao is that things are worse than they imagined.

Dark Fall is the third book in The Shepherd Series book and each time I pick one of these books up I shouldn’t be surprised by how amazing they are but am always blown away by the writing of Andrews and Wilson. The way these two come together to write these military thrillers keep me on the edge of my seat and up way past my bedtime. Jedidiah Johnson is the perfect protagonist to lead these stories. In a way he reminds me of Hondo from SWAT, or Gibbs from NCIS; a great leader and all-around fantastic character.

Each book in the series has proven to get better and better with more explosive plots, characters that pull at the heartstrings and so much more. This story had all the right points and the best tension I have read in a very long time with none of the normal drudgery that so many books have included lately. There was not a scene or chapter that didn’t feel right or pulled me out of the story. This is a very different kind of book than a lot out right now and I love the feel of the unknown coming from what is written within these pages. I recommend this book for fans of fast action, military, and supernatural thrillers. I do also recommend reading the whole series to get the most out of the story.

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