Best of 2024

The year has come and gone with several new titles that came across our shelves. Some great, others might need another read or two. Here is what we thought were the best of the year

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

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.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

If you have ever read a book by Jaime Jo Wright then you know you are in for a suspenseful, creepy thrilling ride. I love the way she crafts mystery from beginning to end, from the past to the present and with characters that connect through the years.

The Last Exchange by Charles Martin

As usual, Charles Martin brings a story that readers will love to read over and over again. The story of Joe and Pockets will warm readers’ hearts and mark them as another set of unforgettable characters that Martin has produced throughout his books. After the letters series, this was a bit of a different direct, more of a return to his roots.

Rift by Steven James

Find Me in California by Kerry Lonsdale

As always, a great read by Lonsdale. She develops characters that are easy to relate with that have everyday problems and throws in a mix of the supernatural for parts of interaction. Always something different, but a little of the same.

Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

Each Freida McFadden I pick up makes me think there is no chance it will be better than the last and each time I am proven wrong. McFadden is a top-notch thriller writer that has put a smile on my face with each new book and the way she is able to pull off such great twists and turns. The way she crafted the characters in this one and how it all tied back in the end was so beautifully done.

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

Sundin is a master at bringing great stories set in historical World War II events. Each book is different. Either set in a different location, time period of the war, and what the characters are experiencing. I loved this story and how it unfolded throughout the pages.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni

Hotel Lucky Seven by Kotaro Isaka

The fourth installment in the Assassins series reintroduces Lady Bug and Maria. An unlikely pair of assassin and handler, these two have some very unique adventures and this story is one of the best. I enjoy how Isaka brings new characters into the mix and the sidebar humor throughout that helps propel the story forward. Always a great read!

Rift

Author: Steven James

Series: Rift #1

Publisher: Sky Turtle Nova

Release Date: October 29, 2024

Steven James has crafted a master suspense story that will be impossible for readers to put down.

Sahara O’Shaughnessy has moved in with her grandmother after the death of her father and a falling out with her mother. Sahara starts working at the local library and things get strange when she finds a “rift” into the realm of lore. Her grandmother has told her stories of ghosts and haunts for a long time and now she might just be seeing it firsthand.

Steven James is a master storyteller and his newest, Rift, starts what I’m sure to be a fantastic trilogy. The first book in this new trilogy is just the start of a story that will take readers deep into the lore of chilling ghost stories set within the Appalachian Mountains and full of tension. Sahara has a complicated past with her family dynamics, a fact that will probably help many readers connect with the characters. Most of us have some kind of family drama that will help us relate to these characters. That is one of the best things about a book written by James, amazing characters, along with the best storyline and writing that is out there. There are so many books written and available today to choose from that it can be hard to know what is worth reading, but anytime I see a book written by James I know it is going to be a homerun. I would recommend this book to any readers that like a griping tale that will be hard to put down.

A Healing Touch

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 1, 2024

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a master when it comes to writing entertaining and endearing characters and stories that readers will think about long after the final page.

Ruth is a rare doctor that still does house calls, and when she does, she treats her patients for more than just physical, she pays attention to what they might need emotionally too. Her skill set comes in handy when a patient, Bee, is diagnosed with breast cancer and then her assistant leaves Ruth for another calling. Ruth does all she can to help treat her patients but must come to the realization that it will take more to truly heal, a true healer.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a beautiful tale that addresses so many issues that will connect with many different readers. Not only does she tackle cancer but also a grieving widow, foster system and much more. Each issue is written with deep emotion connecting me to the characters and story. Ruth is a character that I wanted to see come out happy and safe by the end of the story. I devoured this book and was sad when it ended all too soon. This book left me inspired and sitting afterwards thinking about the story and all the lessons throughout. I recommend this book to those that enjoy Amish Fiction but also just a flat out good story.

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

Lone Wolf

Author: Gregg Hurwitz

Series: Orphan X #9

Publisher: Minotaur

Release Date: February 13, 2024

The next installment in the Orphan X series is a not to be missed thriller!

Evan Smoak was once known as Orphan X and worked as a black ops agent for the government. When he had enough, he left the program and set out on his own to help those who needed him and his special set of skills. His latest mission finds him helping a little girl who has lost her dog. This is not the usual mission Evan agrees to go on but helping this girl turns into one of the biggest jobs he has ever had to tackle. Set out to find an assassin known as the Wolf, who is hunting Evan, might just be more than he can survive.

The Orphan X series is a great read for readers that are fans of The Grey Man, Bourne Society and other types of books and movies. They are all full of action, suspense and Evan getting out of impossible scenarios. In Lone Wolf, I enjoyed Evan having to slow things down a little to help the girl find her dog and the way that lead into a much bigger and harder problems for him to solve. There was still plenty of interaction between him and Joey, which is always a fun dynamic for the story. There was also more twists and surprises in this one than some of the previous installments. Overall this is a great addition to the series that fans of Hurwitz 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.

Deadly Revenge

Author: Patricia Bradley

Series: Pearl River #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: November 5, 2024

A good finish to a romantic suspense series that fans of Bradley’s writing will enjoy.

Jenna Hart came back to her hometown of Pearl Springs and became a deputy just as city officials are in the bullseye of a killer. The town itself has problems of its own. Decades ago, a construction company took over land that belonged to others and now someone is coming after revenge. When the former mayor of Pearl Springs is up for a spot in the US Senate and in danger, Jenna gets help from Agent Maxwell Anderson who she used to work with at the Chattanooga Police. The attraction that they once had for each other comes back quickly as they work on this new case tracking down a killer.

This is the third book in the Pearl River series and a good finish up to a fun romantic suspense series. Patricia Bradley has made a name for herself as a top romantic suspense author in the Christian fiction market. These stories are enjoyable but predictable. The romance was nice but didn’t make me swoon. The tension was probably the nicest part of the story, it was tight and enough to keep my interest. All of those are enough to make this a good story, not a great one. Fans of the series will enjoy it as it wraps up the

storyline.

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

Unforgotten

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: November 5, 2024

Amish fiction with lots of romance and characters that will pull at the heart strings of readers.

Bethanne Hostetler has lived in the Amish community all her life and even after seven years she is haunted by memories of her past and the death of Peter Miller. Bethanne’s cousin, Candace comes back into her life with a stalker on her tail and Bethanne is thrust back into the past trauma she faced. Jay Byler was Peter’s best friend and still hates what happened, especially with Bethanne and wants her to see him in a better light one day. All of them get tied up in the danger with Candace’s stalker and Officer Ryan Mulany is assigned to protect Candace, but when the job becomes more than that keeping a professional distance becomes almost impossible.

Unforgotten is the type of book that will appeal to readers that enjoy Amish fiction, but not necessarily other readers. If you do not want to read about Amish life and happenings then this is not the book for you. The story has a nice flow until the ending, which felt a little rushed. Bethanne is a good protagonist that will have readers wanting to see her come out safe by the end of the story. There wasn’t much to this story that stuck out to me as remarkable, making it good, not great. I do think the story had potential; it just fell flat for me. Readers that are fans of Amish Fiction will enjoy this one as a good clean read.

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

Drop Dead Sisters

Author: Amelia Diane Coombs

Series: The Finch Sisters #1

Publisher: Mindy’s Book Studio

Release Date: November 1, 2024

An intriguing story that is a start to a new series full of unforgettable characters, crazy wit and a tight storyline.

Remi Finch and her sisters haven’t gotten along in years, in fact, they haven’t spent much time in the same room to avoid conflict. All of that is going to come to an end when their parents plan a family reunion trip. Remi is hesitant but willing to reconnect, but as they get together trouble erupts with a dead body at the campsite for the family. With the mystery of the dead body, the sisters quickly bond and try to solve what has happened.

Drop Dead Sisters is a very unique and fun story with lots of tension between the sisters causing the story to flow quickly and keep my attention. These sisters have a dynamic that many will be able to relate to as they read through the pages. There were moments throughout where the main character seemed to slow the progress of the story that had me skipping a few pages to get to the good moments. Once past these slow moments, the story did flow quickly and had me very interested in what was going to happen. This is the first in a new series and with more to come I am interested in what other situations the sisters might find themselves in. Readers that enjoy a different kind of mystery will enjoy this one.

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

Tea with Elephants

Author: Robin Jones Gunn

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 15, 2024

A fun contemporary read that is full of adventure, friendship and amazing faith filled moments.

It’s been almost 20 years since Fern and Lily met volunteering at a center in Costa Rica and ever since they have remained close friends. When they get the chance to go on an African Safari together, they jump at the opportunity to get back out and see what the world has to offer them. The last 20 years has been hard on both of them and being out in the wild and connecting with their faith and each other is a little harder than when they were young.

Tea with Elephants is a great contemporary read, full of all the great adventure moments one would come to expect from a book like this. I loved the way Gunn brought readers right into the thick of the African wilds with all the exotic animals and the glory that comes with being in the presence of God’s greatness. Both Fern and Lily have a lot going on in their lives and have to be able to work through it in order to return from this trip better than when they started it. I enjoyed the way they struggled with decisions they had to make and the fact that it wasn’t too easy and expected that would have made me roll my eyes at the way it was written. This is the first book by Robin Jones Gunn I have read, it was well written and enjoyable making her a new author to add to my shelves. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy contemporary adventures in an exotic setting.

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

Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Author: Robert Dugoni

Series: Keera Duggan #2

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Robert Dugoni has crafted a spectacular legal thriller that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Keera Duggan has had some hard cases in her time as a lawyer but none as hard as having to defend a childhood former friend accused of murder. She knows how manipulative Jenna Bernstein can be ever since they were young and had several run ins with Jenna that didn’t end well. This isn’t the first time Jenna has been accused of murder; the first time Keera’s dad got her off and now it’s Keera’s turn. Trouble follows Jenna wherever she goes and if Keera isn’t careful, she might just find herself caught up in the trouble with her.

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

This is the second book in the Keera Duggan series and by far better than the first. I enjoyed the first book, but it was only mediocre. This one was hands down better, better story, better character connection and much more tension to keep the story moving at a fast pace. The back and forth between Keera and Jenna was spot on, especially when Keera would go into memories of what happened between the two of them when they were younger. Robert Dugoni has a way with writing female protagonist in a way that all readers will relate to and want to route for and see succeed. He has done this with his Tracy Crosswhite series and now Keera Duggan. This story had a particularly good flow to it, regardless of if they are in the courtroom or researching things for the case. Robert Dugoni is a one of a kind author that seems to not be able to write a bad book. Fans looking for a fantastic legal thriller will not want to miss this one.

Specters in the Glass House

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 1, 2024

Jaime Jo Wright is back with her best yet! She continues to fascinate me with her ability to craft the most amazing and touching stories.

After both of her parents pass away, Marian Arnold returns to her childhood home and her mother’s butterfly house. In 1921, prohibition shut down her family’s brewing empire and left Marian with very little. Shortly after she returns home, Marian starts having nightmares and wonders if she is going crazy as dead butterflies appear along with a dead body in the butterfly house. Marian finds solace in her childhood friend Felix who is also dealing with ghosts from his past. Together they must work past the ghosts and butterflies to find a future.

In the present-day timeline, Remy Shaw is a researcher coming to help an elderly biographer looking into the murders and mystery behind Marian Arnold and all that happened at the manor. One of Marian’s decedents shows up at the manor wanting to make sure the story is told correctly. But mystery and danger haven’t strayed far from the manor and yet another generation might be in for more than can take.

Jaime Jo Wright gets better with each novel and this newest one is no exception. I have loved all of her books but this one was by far the best. When you think of butterflies, the next step is not serial killers and ghosts. The dual timeline is something Wright has just about perfected after so many books and she does it better than almost anyone else. It doesn’t matter if it is the past or present timeline, I found myself connected with the characters and the storyline. Usually, a story with a historical timeline is not my “cup of tea” but when Wright is creating the story I know I’m going to connect with the story and characters. If I can connect with characters, then I am hooked into the story till the end. This is the kind of story that is perfect timing coming out right around Halloween. I would recommend this story to readers that love a little spooky with their romantic suspense but also just a fantastic story with great characters.

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