Two Seconds Too Late

Author: Dani Pettrey

Series: Jeopardy Falls #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Dani Pettrey is back with a great addition to one of her best series yet.

Set in northern New Mexico at a couples retreat when a woman vanishes, Riley MacLeod is on the lookout for her along with PI Greyson Chadwick. Riley and Greyson pretend to be a couple and go to the resort looking for clues to the missing woman and end up uncovering more than they bargained for. As more clues come to light, they also find themselves in more danger. The more the two work together to find the missing woman the harder it becomes to deny the feelings they have for one another. Secrets from their past make it hard for each to trust the other fully until that might be all they have to survive.

Dani Pettrey is a fan favorite in the Christian fiction world for a good reason; her writing is a beat above most everyone else. She has a way of crafting stories that will not only pull readers in and keep them hooked book after book. Two Seconds Too Late is a great addition to her latest series and leaves the door open for more to come with these great characters. Of all her books Riley isn’t my favorite female protagonist, but Greyson ranks high on the list, there was something loveable about him and how he was portrayed. The missing woman at the resort made for good storytelling with a great setting, especially since it is close to where I live it pulled me into the story. This is one that fans of Pettrey 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.

Every Deadly Suspicion

Author: Janice Cantore

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: March 4, 2025

Another fantastic police procedural by Janice Cantore!

Hanna Keyes has lived her whole life with knowledge that her father is a murderer. She is the Chief of Police in Dry Oaks, California and gets a call that her father is dying. He is given a compassionate release, and she is asked to let him live with her in his final days. Even though she never got to know him and can’t really think of him as her father, she feels led to say yes to the request. When Joe, her father arrives in Dry Oaks, not everyone is happy to see him there and things start to go from bad to worse. Joe starts making comments to Hanna that lead her to believe he might not be as guilty of murder as everyone thought. With each new piece of the puzzle more danger comes their way and Hanna isn’t sure what to believe anymore.

Janice Cantore has always been one of my favorite’s when it comes to romantic suspense; the way she writes police procedurals is one of the best. I enjoy the way she writes characters and situations that are believable and enjoyable to read about. Her stories flow with ease and I find all aspects of them more believable than most written now a days. So many books out there are not worth the time and have served to put me in a reading slump lately. It is nice to find a book that is enjoyable to read and makes me want to keep reading. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy good, clean romantic suspense thrillers.

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

Hold Strong

Author: Robert Dugoni with Jeff Langholz and Chris Crabtree

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: January 28, 2025

Hold Strong is a fitting name because the book had the strongest hold on me until the very last page!

Sam Carlson and his family have been hit hard by the depression. He has been working multiple jobs to help and one of his jobs is running the projector at the small town theater in Minnesota. He likes to meet his sweetheart there for some alone time. Sarah Haber is headed to college to study math that leads her to working as a code breaker for the military when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and Sam is sent to the Philippines. Sam is captured and ends up as a POW on the Bataan Death March. Sarah moves up the ranks and finds herself as one of the top code breakers; she intercepts a message from Japan about a convoy including the Arisan Maru ship. The Navy believe it is clear they must sink this ship, a ship containing American POW’s, including Sam. Sarah is in the middle of the biggest battle of her life and they world hoping they can have a satisfying outcome.

I used to say that my favorite genre of books was a good suspense thriller, but now I have to admit that my favorite genre is a Robert Dugoni book! It doesn’t matter what he writes it is going to be a phenomenal book. Hold Strong is a fantastic book with characters at the heart of it all and a plotline that will tug at readers heartstrings. The back and forth between Sam and Sarah was fantastic and written so well, as are all the books by Dugoni. Historical fiction is not my usual go to genre, but when it is done well it will end up as one of my favorite reads of the year, just as this one is going to be. This book was so good! Fans of WWII and historical fiction will not want to miss out on this one!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

The Silent Watcher

Author: Victor Methos

Series: Vegas Shadows #1

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: December 1, 2024

The Silent Watcher takes the phrase, Deadly Silent, to a whole new level with this crazy thriller.

Piper Danes is an attorney who has had to take a step back from being a lawyer and is now a guardian ad litem with her first case. She wanted this change, knowing how a GAL helped her when she was young and needed it most and wants to help youth that need her now. When she is assigned to help 15-year-old Sophie Grace, the only survivor of her family’s murder, she has the help of Judge Hope Dawson and Detective Lazarus Holloway. With each clue they uncover more and more danger pointed at not only Sophie but each of them as well as they hunt a serial killer that hides in the shadows.

The Silent Watcher has a fantastic ending, but you must be patient for the great build up. The first chapter starts with good tension and then it dies out for a while before it picks back up and gradually takes off. It will help readers to know that this is the first book in the start of a series so the buildup will be worth sticking with. Piper is a great character with a lot of heart, and I found myself really wanting to see her come out safe and happy by the end. Lazarus got on my nerves for some reason, not even sure if I can pinpoint what it was about him that annoyed me, just something didn’t sit right with him as a character. I do think I will pick up the next in the series to see what is going to happen with these characters. The Silent Watcher is a good book for fans of suspense thrillers.

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

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.

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.