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.

For a Lifetime

Author: Gabrielle Meyer

Series: Timeless #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 7, 2024

This book, and series took me by surprise and I’m hoping readers will jump on board with this fantastic read.

Grace and Hope, identical twin sisters have a unique ability, they can cross between times and places. The two have been going back and forth between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts and 1912 New York City. But they are about to have to pick one and stay forever. When they are in 1692, they help their father in his tavern and try to solve their mother’s death that has been shrouded in mystery. In 1912, Hope works to become a pilot while Grace a journalist, not usual professions for women in that time. As they must choose which time to stay in and how to leave the other behind, the decision becomes harder than expected.

There was something about this series that spoke to me, maybe it was the time travel, maybe the twin aspect (I’m an identical twin), or maybe it was just the way the story was so well written. I loved the time slip, back and forth between time and locations and the way Meyer wrote the sisters and all they went through. I connected more with Hope than Grace but still had a connection to both of the girls and the struggles they faced going through life and time. This is a great series that makes the pages fly and will have readers engaged throughout. I love it when I can pick up a novel, especially one that isn’t my go-to genre like this, and be immediately engaged and connected to the characters. I would recommend this book to those that have read the series and want to continue to see it all play out.

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

With Each Tomorrow

Authors: Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse

Series: The Jewels of Kalispell #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 21, 2024

When two of the best in Christian fiction get together, you are sure to get a novel that readers will devour in one sitting.

Since the death of her mother, Eleanor Briggs has been going across the country with her father and they now find themselves at Glacier National Park. Her father is a conservationist and Eleanor helps him with his work but what she really wants to do is settle down and write. When she meets Carter Brunswick, there is immediate attraction and the future both of them imagined changes quickly. But they are both in for hard going with tension over the railroad and their families.

When Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse get together to write, I know it is going to be a great story. Independently they are great at what they do, together they bring the best of their independent styles and make a great historical fiction novel. While this isn’t my favorite genre to read, it is one I pick up when I know the writing is going to be top-notch. I am happy to say that this is a story that this is a story that readers that enjoy historical fiction 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.

The Sisters of Corinth

Author: Angela Hunt

Series: The Emissaries #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 21, 2024

Another sure fire hit from the queen of biblical fiction.

The city of Corinth has a new governor and the Chief Magistrate. Narkis Ligus is excited for the opportunity to get one of his daughters united in marriage and elevate his family status. His plans don’t go as hoped when Mariana doesn’t want to marry a man devoted to the Roman gods with her faith in Yeshua. Prima, Mariana’s sister, is willing to betray her sister and follow the path their father has set for them. A marriage could be great for the family but not their faith and is a hard decision for all of them to make.

Angela Hunt is my go-to when I want a great historical, biblical fiction novel. The way she writes these characters and all they go through puts the reader right there in the thick of the action. Bringing biblical characters to life is hard, many writers have tried and not had the success that Hunt and few others do. I am happy to say that this book lived up to my expectations of what I have come to know and love from Hunt’s writing. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean, thrilling story with biblical characters and a storyline they will love.

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

When Cicadas Cry

Author: Caroline Cleveland

Publisher: Union Square & Co.

Release Date: May 7, 2024

A fun story of love, murder and secrets that can ruin everything.

When a white woman is found murdered by a black man inside a church in rural South Carolina, it ends up being the case of a lifetime for attorney Zach Stander. This case ties in with two cold cases from nearby and with a killer on the loose and secrets at every corner, this ends up being a case that will change everyone dealing with it.

This book reminded me a lot of A Time To Kill, the tension and racial issues throughout. I enjoyed the way Cleveland weaved the strands of the different cases together. There were moments throughout that kept me on my toes and made me smile at the way it was revealed. As a debut novel I was surprised at how well this was done and the way The dynamic between Zach and Addie was a back and forth that kept me invested in not only them but what they were trying to do to help Sam and that right there is what makes for a great story that holds my interest. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good crime thriller with cold cases and deep dark secrets.

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.

Matterhorn

Author: Christopher Reich

Series: Mac Dekker #1

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: April 1, 2024

This one hit the spot! I loved the thrills, action and story that played out like I was watching a movie.

Mac Dekker left his life in the CIA behind, inventing a new identity as Robbie Steinhardt and wanting a quiet life. His quiet life is shattered when he finds out his son has died after trying to be like his dad and now, he must find answers to what happened. It doesn’t take long for his old life to come back, and muscle memory takes over as he gets back in the field to avenge the death of his son and figure out who he can trust in a life that makes it hard to trust anyone.

Matterhorn is the start of the Mac Dekker series and I personally hope it is the start of a very long series. I can’t wait to see where these characters go and accompany them on the adventures they take. I love a well-written military thriller that keeps me invested in the characters and what they are trying to accomplish. This one kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire story and I loved the action and adventure on every page. I picked this one up after several lack-luster reads and it was the perfect one to get me back in the groove. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great thriller they can’t put down.

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

Serabelle

Author: Tavi Taylor Black

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Release Date: April 24, 2024

Good premise, but felt disjointed throughout the story.

Mabel Rae was born into servanthood, but always felt greater aspirations. Not an easy thing to accomplish in the early 1900s between class and gender. When she becomes of age, she takes on a position as a maid in an upscale estate in Bar Harbor, Maine. She begins her career in defiance by going up to the main house, where the butler quickly sends her to the servants quarters. When he receives attention from the master of the house, she gives in quickly and dreams of becoming the lady of the manor. But when she discovers she is pregnant, she learns the hard truth of her life and her social class.

I really felt that this book had a great premise and was excited to read something different. However, the story took several different pathways throughout and sometimes felt disjointed when reading between the different characters. It did make me do some fact checking and seemed to be pretty accurate overall for the time period. The setting was the best part of the whole book and carried most of the story for me.

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.