Death at Morning House

Author: Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: August 6, 2024

A fun mystery with back and forth from the past to the present that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Marlowe Wexler has had one thing after another go wrong and after a horrible first date where she almost burns down a house. She then sets off for a new summer job at Morning House. Morning House is a mansion built on an island back in the 1920s but was quickly abandoned after the death of several family members. The house is being opened for one summer for fans of the story of what happened in the house. Shortly after Marlowe arrives, another mystery starts to unravel, and Marlowe finds herself at the center of this mystery and the danger included.

Death at Morning House is another great mystery by Maureen Johnson. I have enjoyed all of the books by Johnson, but I can’t give this one as high of a rating for one personal picky reason. I am not a fan of books that have LGTBQ type themes that are marketed to kids or in the YA section. Write that in adult books all you want, but when it is marketed to kids, I am not so much a fan. The story itself was really good and I enjoyed the mystery aspect of it along with the back and forth between the past and present. Johnson is very good at the sleuthing type genre and I knew that would make this story really good, which it did, I wasn’t sure how it was all going to turn out until the very end. I love it when writers are able to make a story twisty like that and keep me guessing. I do think fans of mysteries will enjoy this one for sure.

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.

Between the Sound and Sea

Author: Amanda Cox

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Wow!! I don’t know how Amanda Cox does it, but every time I think she can’t top a book she does it with the next! This one is going to be one of my best of the year books without a doubt!

Josephina Harris has worked really hard to get past the dirty looks she gets in town after her family sold their business and it was bought by someone who had less than honorable intentions. When no one will hire her event planning business because of it, she finds herself in a hard position. Does she stay and try and get her family’s good name back? Or leave to pursue a new opportunity? Her friend sends her a job opening for a keeper at a decommissioned lighthouse in North Carolina and she thinks it might be just the thing she needs. As she works at the lighthouse, she discovers secrets hidden in the walls and learns the history of the lighthouse and a tragic love story that might just not be over if she has anything to say about it.

Every time I think Amanda Cox can’t top her last book, she puts out another fantastic novel! I have yet to read one of hers that doesn’t blow me away with how amazing she is able to write these characters and storylines. Each story she writes is unique and charming with its setting, characters, and even the romantic undertones included. Between the Sound and the Sea will transport readers to a beautiful setting with the lighthouse on the coast and an endearing plot with the long-lost romance and characters searching for their identity. Not many books lately have been able to hold my attention and move me in a way her stories are able to. I would normally say thrillers are my go to genre, but I might just have to make an Amanda Cox genre as a favorite! I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantastic plot with characters that will touch your heart.

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

Meet Me at the Starlight

Author: Rachel Hauck

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 2, 2024

Set across multiple different generations and with characters that are intriguing, readers will not want to miss this one.

Set in both the 1930’s and 1980’s with multiple points of view done in a unique way that I haven’t read before, including a viewpoint of the town. Hauck has a way of writing romance that is very different from many in the Christian fiction industry and that is what makes her great. The back and forth timelines and point of views make the story fly by and was able to really keep me invested in the characters and what they went through. I enjoyed the way that she brought about the growth we see in the characters and was able to bring out the beauty in the darkness they went through.

Rachel Hauck is a great historical romance writer and the way she took the story from different timelines and points of view is great compared to so many. A few moments throughout the story didn’t fit in as well with the rest of the story as I would have hoped for. These moments made the story fall a little slower and harder to turn the pages in what was an otherwise great story. For fans of historical romance this will be a good one to add to their bookshelves. If it isn’t your favorite genre, I would skip this one.

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

Out for Blood

Author: Ryan Steck

Series: Matthew Redd Thriller #3

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: June 4, 2024

The third book in the Matthew Redd series is an amazing addition to a fantastic series.

It’s the dead of winter in Montana and Matthew Redd knows how to deal with that, but the killer storm that is coming might be more than he can handle. While he is with his family in Montana his father, Gavin Kline is escorting a very high value prisoner when he comes under attack. The attack then leads Gavin to realize Matthew is the next target. Gavin gets word to Redd that he has a target on his back in time for him to prepare and try to get his family to safety. A snowstorm is about to hit which might make it harder for Matthew to stay alive, or it just might give him the cover he needs to take out those coming for him.

I loved this book! I picked it up after several that lacked what I needed to get me invested in the story and characters. It was incredibly easy to fly through the pages of this story and want to see these characters come out the other side safe and happy. Each new addition to this series finds Matthew in a terrible position and having to someway find his way to safety and make sure those he loves are also safe, sometimes harder than others. With this one it involved almost everyone in town trying to help keep him and his family safe after the biggest attack to come at him. I would recommend reading this series in order to get the most out of it. Readers could pick one and enjoy it but reading all will give the reader the best enjoyment.

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

Until Our Time Comes

Author: Nicole M. Miller

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 2, 2024

Debut novel of the year!!!

Adia Kensington is an American horse trainer who has the opportunity of a lifetime. In the 1930s, women typically don’t have this type of opportunity, but when Adia is given the chance to work at the famous Janow Podalski stables in Poland working with Arabian horses, she knows this is her dream. But in 1939 when the unthinkable happens and the Nazis begin to invade Poland, Adia knows that she has to get these horses to safety. However, she has no idea just how long this endeavor will take her or how it will affect her.

Major Bret Conway is at the famous stables on an intelligence assignment and falls for the lovely Adia Kensington. When the Navis invade, Adia convinces him that they must save the stallions instead of letting them fall into German hands. But doing so will be the hardest test he has faced in his life!

This is by far the debut novel of the year! I read several WWII era novels that sometimes it’s easy to just glance over the cover and expect it to be like several others. Miller poured out everything she had in making this book and you can tell! From the research of the events to the focus on the mental, physical, and emotional strain that the characters go through. I haven’t read a book this good all year and I’m so happy I picked this on up!

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

A Choice Considered

Author: Tracie Peterson

Series: The Heart of Cheyenne #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 2, 2024

Anyone that has read a Tracie Peterson novel will be thrilled with this new addition to their library.

Melody Doyle has followed the lines of the railroad along with her father and after years she decides she wants to take a step back and settle down. Her father wishes for her to find a husband before he leaves her and if she can’t do that before his next departure she will go with him. The men in town hear word of her wanting to settle down and there is a race to become her husband. When the heir to a banking fortune heads her way at the request of his father, Charles Decker, wants nothing more than to settle down as well and when he meets Melody his life will never be the same.

Tracie Peterson is a star in the Christian fiction world for a reason, her writing is sweet, heartfelt and just what the readers will want. A Choice Considered had all that and more, the way she writes these characters gave me all the feels. Melody and Charles were the right combination and readers will route for them to come out happy in the end. They have a sweet romance and plenty of obstacles in their way to find that happy ending making for plenty of tension throughout the story. The tension is really what drove it forward for me and kept me glued to the pages. It was a job well done by Peterson. As the second book in the series, I will be curious to see what happens next. Readers that love historical romance 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.

Meeting Her Match

Author: Jen Turano

Series: The Matchmakers #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 16, 2024

An endearing and charming story that kept a smile on my face and my heart fluttering.

In a time when being married is everything to a young woman, Camilla Pierpont always thought that would be her future until heartache changed her mind and heart. An unfortunate turn of events finds her with a man helping her stay alive and eventually maybe finding love again. When Owen Chesterfield crosses paths with Camilla, his life goes in all the directions he never expected. When her life is in danger Owen finds himself in danger as well trying to keep those he cares about safe.

Meeting Her Match was a match made in heaven with these characters and the love they showed throughout the pages. I loved the whimsical romance between these characters when it seemed most unlikely. At times the story was a bit slow, historical romances tend to be that way at times for me. Owen was a fun protagonist along with Camilla and all they went through to try and find the happy ending they each deserved. This series brought about characters that were enjoyable to read and see what they could accomplish with the goals they had before them. I would recommend this series to those that enjoy historical romance and Turano’s style of writing.

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

Into the Starlight

Author: Amanda Cabot

Series: Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 16, 2024

A look back in time with a whimsical story of life, love and so much more.

Joanna Vaughn wanted nothing more than to become a concert pianist in Europe, but those plans are dashed, and she returns to Sweetwater Crossing, Texas. Her husband’s passing after a short marriage is another stab in the heart to her as she tries to keep her head above water. Her childhood home no longer feels like home as she returns and tries to piece her life back together. Dr. Burke Finley is feeling like Joanna as his life seems to be falling apart when his fiancé leaves him for his partner. He goes with his almost-aunt, Della, to Sweetwater Crossing and what was supposed to be a short trip turns into an extended stay when he meets Joanna. The attraction between the two can’t be denied and the happy ever after they want may be harder to obtain than either of them would like.

Into the Starlight is a sweet romance that kept me on the edge of my seat rooting for Joanna to find the love she deserved after suffering such heartache early in her life. Burke also had heartache that he didn’t deserve and when he meets Joanna and the immediate attraction between them made my heart flutter. The setting and story kept my interest throughout and I was so happy with the way this series has played out. This is one that fans of the series and those that love historical romance 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.

Leaning on Air

Author: Cheryl Grey Bostrom

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: May 7, 2024

A story rich in heart, endearing characters and over far too soon.

It had been years since Cella Burke and Burnaby Hays spoke, but when they run into each other again, a spark ignites, and they quickly find themselves in love. Cella is an ornithologist while Burnaby is a veterinarian. Cella goes off in search of a hawk nest when tragedy strikes and she doesn’t feel Burnaby will understand the events so she takes off to a remote area in Washington. While there she meets a neighbor that helps with her grief, and a silent boy who makes her question her decisions.

From the very first page of this book, I was captivated by all the characters and the amount of emotion pouring through each and every one. For some odd reason this was the third book in a row I ended up reading having to do with Ornithology. The first two bored me pretty bad but this one captured me from the start and kept me glued to the pages to find out what was going to happen. There was plenty of tension to move the story forward as well as romance. At a few moments I was left scratching my head at the decisions of Cella but the way it all played out by the last pages was well thought out and written even better. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a book with lots of heart and great characters arcs.

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