Upgrade

Author: Blake Crouch

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Length: 352 Pages

Release Date: July 12, 2022

Blake Crouch never disappoints with his mind-bending thrillers!

Logan Ramsay works for the gene protection agency (GPA) to thwart the plans of scientists who intend to modify genes for personal gain. Logan’s mother was the matriarch of gene research and modification before her life’s work to end world hunger turned into the “Great Starvation” causing a sizeable part of the world’s population to die off. One night at a raid in Denver, he triggers an IED in a house’s basement that was packed with a gene modifier. At first everything comes back clean, but before long, Logan starts to notice that his intelligence is enhancing as is his body structure. Logan knows that if the GPA finds out that his genome has been modified, he will be isolated and studied until they are confident they can contain what he will become. But Logan also learns that what happened to him is just the first step in someone’s attempt to upgrade the human race so that they don’t face extinction in the future.

If you pick up a Blake Crouch book, you know that you are going to be in for a wild ride that will likely result in sleepless nights while reading the book and after reading the book because you keep thinking about it for months. Upgrade was no exception to his formula. However, he changed tactics a bit and strayed from his usual focus on quantum entanglement to human gene modification. He has also moved from being more current day to a time of a dystopian world after disasters.

If you’ve researched much into genetics, you will find quite a bit of the same acronyms show up in his book. Even if you haven’t, Crouch does a great job of giving readers just enough information to follow the technical jargon without having to have a biomedical degree just to keep up. He never gets into the weeds, but makes it feel like you are reading a medical thriller. The suspense is always top notch and its easy to connect with the main protagonist from the beginning. I always look forward to his books.

There is quite a bit of foul language (understandable from the characters) but doesn’t take away from the storyline at all. If you love suspense thrillers that will leave you thinking for weeks to months afterwards, Upgrade should be on your shelf!

Her True Worth

Author: Brittany Maher & Cassandra Speer

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: July 5, 2022

A powerful book that hits home in this day and age of social media and feeling like we have to live up to the false identities all around us.

Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer have the ministry Her True Worth and are popular on social media. They are using their calling to help other women work to break free from the chains that social media can impose on them. Brittany worked for years in the beauty industry while Cassandra became depressed with the messages being sent about a woman’s worth. All around they would both see women lost and seeking attention and affirmation without looking to the only one that can give us what we need, Jesus Christ. Within the pages of this book, these two women show readers what God intended our identity to be, not what we have been told it should be. Each chapter is a reminder that our true worth is found in the one that loves us unconditionally and will steer us away from the false messages we have been led to believe.

This book hit me hard at a time I have doubted my worth not only with God, but with others around me. I recently had a great friend of mine celebrate a birthday and had lots of friends post about times with her and I started to wonder if I was as good of a friend because I didn’t post on Facebook about our friendship. How crazy is that? I had to take a step back and realize if that affected our friendship, which it didn’t, the friendship wasn’t real to begin with. With social media in our world, we see more and more young adults and even older adults becoming obsessed with being online and “liked” and depressed if they don’t have the right social media presence. I loved each and every chapter of this book and the way it pointed out how our value is much more than we realize based on social media and the world around us. If we can continue to remind us to look to Jesus and what he thinks of us instead of the world we will all be in better shape.

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

Bullet Train

Author: Kotaro Isaka

Series: Hitman #2

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Release Date: August 3, 2021

In a read before you watch debate, this will be better than the movie!

Aboard the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Morioka, multiple assassins are traveling with different, seemingly unrelated agendas. Tangerine and Lemon have “rescued” a wealthy man’s son from a kidnapping and are making their way to deliver the boy and the ransom money that is housed in a suitcase. Nanao, referred to as ladybug for his unlucky, yet successful adventures, is working with his partner Maria on an assignment to grab a specific suitcase off the train, which just happens to be the same suitcase that Tangerine and Lemon are guarding. Kimura has boarded the train to avenge his young son’s accident by a teenager known as “the Prince.” But the Prince is more calculated and sadistic than anyone knows who is out to determine the boundaries that he can push. Could there be more assassins aboard that have even more agendas? What will happen when they finally realize that things might not be quite as unrelated as they seem?

I picked up a copy of this book when I saw that it was going to be a movie and I love to read it before I see it. Needless to say, this is an action-packed thriller from start to finish. There are so many twists and turns throughout the book that it made my head spin. There were many aspects of this book that I enjoyed: the banter between Lemon and Tangerine, the frustrations of Nanao, and Kimura’s parents were just the icing on the cake. It was easy to connect with certain characters and disdain for others, just as the reader intended. The fight scenes on the train were done very well and was completely believable.

There is quite a bit of strong language throughout the book, a lot of violence, and some disturbing thoughts and concepts by one of the characters, but still a great book. I recommend that those who love to compare books to movies check this out.

Walking in Tall Weeds

Author: Robin W. Pearson

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: July 19, 2022

Robin W. Pearson tells it like it is in her newest book!

McKinley Baldwin is returning to his childhood home of Hickory Grove, North Carolina after he fled to Philadelphia over a year and a half ago. His parents aren’t bad, just stubborn with their traditions. Now he has big news to tell, he is planning to ask the love of his life for her hand in marriage but knows that it will be a difficult step to take with his parents. With a black dad and white mom, McKinley has learned all about the difficulties a mixed race can bring, and his future fiancé will be no exception to that as a white woman. What complicates things even more is that she is the daughter of the furniture company that his dad works at and has a grudge against the family for years after they stole his grandfather’s land. Can past hurts be healed? Or will grudges be just as stubborn as traditions?

Robin Pearson has penned another impressive story tackling many of today’s toughest issues. Set in North Carolina, Fred and Paulette are a mixed-race couple that have an only child, McKinley. Pearson brings to light the issues that many mixed-race couples face from both a public and private perspective. Possibly the most difficult issue are the issues with outside family members who can’t seem to hold back their thoughts and opinions throughout all the time these two have been married. There is not a tremendous amount of spoken dialogue throughout the book but focuses more on intrinsic issues with thoughts that occur and how different people deal with those thoughts. I love that Pearson has always managed to bring things to light that people deal with to help readers gain insight into what different people go through. Great book as usual!

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

The Record Keeper

Author: Charles Martin

Series: Murphy Shepherd #3

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: July 5, 2022

An exciting conclusion to the Murphy Shepherd series that will have readers wanting to read the whole series again and again!

Murphy Shepherd has been in the shadows his whole career. He stays off the radar and rescues those who have been taken for human trafficking. To cope with all the things he has seen, he began writing stories about his adventures using the pen name David Bishop that have become some of the most sought-after books in the world. But he owes everything to his mentor, Bones. After his last mission to rescue his wife and children, he very nearly died at the hand of someone who looked eerily similar to his mentor. When Murphy learns the truth about the mystery man, he and Bones vow to stop at nothing to finally dismantle the trafficking empire and keep those who have been rescued safe. But when Bones is taken and used as ransom, Murphy has just discovered this will be the most difficult mission that he has been preparing for throughout his whole life without even knowing it!

The Record Keeper is the third and final book in the Murphy Shepherd series. This has been one of the most intense series that I’ve read over the last decade. Readers are pulled in quickly during the first book and it doesn’t let up until the end of the third. Whereas the first book is just setting the stage with a little bit of Murphy’s history, the second book really dives into his past and what made him into the man he is. The Record Keeper is more about the story of his mentor, Bones, and how the organization that he and Murphy work for came to be. Word of caution, this series and this book are not for the squeamish. This dives heavily into human trafficking and sexual abuse, particularly at those who seem to live just and righteous lives. However, there is also a humbling truth of forgiveness and leaving the ninety-nine to find the one, regardless of who that one might be.

I would love this to become a movie or miniseries, but who knows if it will. The writing is real, raw, and very emotional at times. The characters are easy to connect with and quickly make readers love or hate them. To get the most out of this book, I recommend that the full series be read in order as it follows a timeline and storyline that need to read to fully understand what is going on. Hands down one of my favorite books of the year!

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

Where the Crawdads Sing

Author: Delia Owens

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

Release Date: March 30, 2021

A fantastic debut novel that has me kicking myself for not picking it up and reading it sooner! Storytelling at its very best!

In the mid-1900s, a young girl is abandoned by everyone in her family and left to fend for herself in the Marshes of Barkley Cover in North Carolina. Kya Clark watched her mother walk away followed by her siblings and finally her drunken father. She keeps to herself and finds ways to make enough money to survive and avoid the authorities looking to get her in school. She is referred to as the “Marsh Girl” by everyone in town and does her best to avoid everyone she can until she meets a boy who captures her heart. Tate helps Kya feel like she is not such an outcast and they grow close until he leaves for college and she is once again alone. She also grows close to Chase Andrews until he betrays her. When Chase is found dead, Kya is immediately the first suspect. Kya has always been different but is she a murderer?

This book is many different things: it is intense, it is fun, it is intriguing and stunning as a debut novel. I’ve seen a few different reviews get nitpicky about certain aspects of the novel dealing with setting and some of the dialect but honestly that will not be a problem for most readers. I picked this up on a whim after hearing many people talk about it and zipped through it in two days. I was immediately drawn into the story and the way the characters were written. There is so much depth to Kya and growth as a character, this story works because of her. Following her through every traumatic event starting with her mom leaving her followed by the rest of her family until she is all alone and learning how to survive will leave the readers full of empathy for her and rooting for her to not only survive but find a way to thrive. My heart ached for her with each new tragedy she faced and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough in order to find out what was going to happen. I will say the ending had me smiling with how the story was wrapped up. This book has been out for a while and I’m a little late in the game reading this one but can’t wait to see how the story plays out in the movie. Readers that enjoy a great historical novel will not want to miss this one. I usually don’t enjoy historical type books but this one was so much better than I ever expected it to be.

City of Likes

Author: Jenny Mollen

Publisher: NacelBooks

Release Date: June 14, 2022

I must praise Jenny Mollen for writing a book that had characters I couldn’t stand and a story line that was so real that could be hard to read for some but needs to be read by others.

Megan Chernoff has just moved from LA to New York after her husband’s work relocated them. She has been a stay-at-home mother with her two boys but now wants to get back to work as a copywriter. Shortly after arriving in New York, she meets Daphne Cole, a social media influencer who shows interest in Megan and the two quickly become close. Megan is now immersed in the influencer world and sees her life changing which draws her closer to Daphne and her circle but farther away from her family. The closer she becomes to Daphne, the more she sees the world she has been drawn into is not real and is making her lose track of what is real.

It has taken me a few days to form my thoughts for how I feel about this book. As I read it, it took me back to a time and friendship that hurt me. Daphne is a clear narcissist and the things she does to Megan and those around her pulled me deep into my memories of this friendship and how it hurt me and can still hurt when I go down memory lane. Jenny Mollen did a fantastic job of writing these characters in a way that made me really not like them. This story can be hard to read for those that find themselves obsessed with social media and spending so much time preoccupied with likes and followers that they lose track of what matters: their family. I have been trying to limit my scrolling time on social media and it makes me happier knowing I’m spending less wasted time and more intentional time with my family. The book was on my list to read right after another that dealt with how social media can make people forget their true worth because of making the likes and followers more important than those actually in their lives. There is a lot of adult language and content within the pages so I would not recommend this to younger readers. Those that enjoy dark humor and satire will enjoy this book, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

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

Code of Courage

Author: Janice Cantore

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: July 19, 2022

Another fantastic police procedural from one of the best is completely satisfying and downright enjoyable!

Detective Danni Grace has been on the job a long time and never expected to want to do anything else. After being injured during a riot, she takes a leave and almost never comes back to the job she loved. When the riots increase with a police officer involved shooting in her hometown, Danni returns to try and save the career of her fellow officers. She is going to have to work hard to overcome the doubts she has about staying on the force she lost her passion for. She also must put aside her past and work with her ex-husband, Gabriel Fox, an investigator for the city prosecutor’s office. Together they work to preserve justice and protect those they have made an oath to serve and protect.

I always love getting a new Janice Cantore book. I know that no matter what the story is I’m going to enjoy it. Her knowledge being a 22-year veteran of the Long Beach police force shows in every book that she writes. Every character in her books is believable and engaging, which is so rare. Not only are her characters as officers written real and believable, but anyone else that shows up on the page pulls me in and makes me want to know more about their backstory and all that they are going through. Danni Grace was a great protagonist; she is strong, but also vulnerable and even though it takes a while, she is willing to accept the help she needs from Gabriel, which brings their relationship into an interesting dynamic. For being just under four hundred pages there is a lot of story here but it is told well and flows at a great pace. This is a great book for fans of Romantic suspense to pick up. If you have never read anything by Janice Cantore, I would recommend this one along with all of her books.

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

Deadly Shallows

Author: Dani Pettrey

Series: Coastal Guardians #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 5, 2022

The final installment in the Coastal Guardians series is packed with more action and drama than a romantic suspense should be allowed to have!

When a deadly attack occurs affecting members of the Coast Guard Investigative Services, Agent Noah Rowley and his team race to stop the attack and save as many lives as possible. During the attack, Brooke Kesler, a flight medic for the Coast Guard, helps take one of the gun man that was wounded to the hospital and ends up on the radar of the bad guys when they think she knows something she shouldn’t. With each new clue they uncover about the deadly plot affecting their city and friends, they realize more lives could be at stake. Noah, Brooke and the team must work together to stop the plan of truly evil men.

If you have read any of the Coastal Guardians books, or are a fan of romantic suspense, this is one you will not want to miss. I have always loved the way Dani Pettrey crafts novels that are rich in drama, suspense, tension, romance and so much more. This novel and the way she put Brooke in dangerous situations and how it affected the other team members was written beautifully. There was no trouble relating to Brooke as the main female lead in this book and all that she goes through, I found myself on the edge of the seat several times hoping everything would turn out alright. My only complaint about this book would be at times it got a little preachy with how much the different characters were praying in different situations. This is a Christian fiction book and as such it is to be expected, but for readers that are turned off by too much of that this will take them out of the story, not something that needs to happen. I’m all for praying in all situations, good and bad, but when reading a story like this I just felt it took me away from the tension and what I needed to be focused on in the story. This was a good wrap up to the series and I can’t wait to see what stories come next from Pettrey.

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

Critical Alliance

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Series: Rocky Mountain Courage #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 5, 2022

The third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series is a nonstop action ride that will pull readers in and keep them glued to their seats.

It’s been a long time since Mackenzie Hanson used her hacking skills for evil. When things went too far, she went to the authorities herself and now has a career as a professor of cybersecurity at Michigan University using her skills to help others. A blast from her past comes back to warn her about a danger to her and her family leading her to return home to try and save her father’s tech company from a cyberattack. Alex Knight has been working for the Diplomatic Security Services and needs time to recover after a mission that ended badly. He returns home to Montana and runs into Mackenzie, a girl from his past he has never forgotten. He is pulled into her mystery and together they work to try and save lives and the company her family has poured so much into before it is too late.

This is the last book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series and readers get Mackenzie and Alex’s story along with some answers tying up the rest of the series. I love how this series can be read in order or even as stand-alone novels if a reader happened to pick one up without realizing it was in a series. Even so, the reader might enjoy going back and reading the others to catch up on the story. Mackenzie is a great character for this story, and I loved the way her past was brought back in and showed how much she has grown as a person. Alex was a good male lead but had a few moments that I felt disconnected from him, I can’t say for sure what it was exactly that made me feel that way about him as a character except I found him a tad annoying. None of that was enough to turn me off the story though, the action was top-notch and the romance between the two worked really well, especially towards the end of the story. I think fans of romantic suspense will definitely want to add this one to their collection!

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