About the Book

Book: Mountain of Peril

Author: J. Carol Nemeth

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: January 25, 2018

When Molly Walker graduated from college, she was thrilled to be hired on as a ranger at Deep Creek Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She arrived ready to begin her career and to enjoy all the aspects of her new job, but the one thing she hadn’t counted on was the local poachers and their illegal shenanigans. Molly and fellow ranger Jake Stuart try to put a stop to the escalating poaching problem while protecting the animals. In the meantime, Molly finds the handsome ranger, who is also a local, is a great partner to have on her side. She also finds she’s losing her heart to him when she’d planned to stay focused on her career. Can she give her heart and have a career? She and Jake find themselves in a battle against a group of men with a hidden agenda far more sinister than poaching. Can they be stopped before Molly’s life is snuffed out?

Molly and Jake are in a battle against a group of men with a hidden agenda far more sinister than poaching. Can they be stopped before Molly’s life is snuffed out?

Click here to get your copy!

My Impressions

“The Smokies, in particular, hold a mystical appeal, like they’ve held secrets and tales for centuries just waiting for folks to discover. They have…personality.” This personality of the Smokies is very well brought to life in Mountain of Peril by J Carol Nemeth. It was a book I really looked forward to reading. Having visited there, I am very interested to read about descriptions of the natural beauty and wildlife, and Nemeth did not disappoint. Bear, wild boar, and elk all make appearances, and Nemeth shares a lot of pertinent information about poaching and trapping. The novel was very informational while being easy to read in and a fun story.

I enjoyed the occasional snarky humor that made me smile.
I enjoyed Jake and Molly’s story, especially Molly as a new ranger. I certainly could identify with her need to put her career ahead of her romance, since this is her first job.

I liked that prayer is an integral part of the story. Salvation is clearly presented, but I would have liked to have seen it woven into the story in smaller, more natural bites.
I also enjoyed how the ending came together. I hope we get to read Cal and Pam’s story soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. I am voluntarily leaving this review. All opinions are my own.

My Rating

Great!

About the Author

A native North Carolinian, J. Carol Nemeth has always loved reading and enjoyed making up stories since junior high school, most based in the places she has lived or traveled to. She worked in the National Park Service as a Park Aid and served in the US Army where she was stationed in Italy, traveling to over thirteen countries while there. She met the love of her life, Mark Nemeth, also an Army veteran, while stationed in Italy. After they married, they lived in various locations, including North Yorkshire, England. They now live in West Virginia, where, in their spare time, Carol and Mark enjoy RVing, sightseeing and are active in their church. They have a son, Matt, who serves active duty Army, a daughter, Jennifer, her husband Flint, who serves active duty Air Force, and three grandchildren, Martin, Ava and Gage. Their four-footed kid, Holly, a black Lab, loves traveling in their RV, and when they pack up to go, she’s waiting inside for them to head out.

More from J. Carol

I worked for the National Park Service at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park many moons ago before I met my husband. The setting for Mountain of Peril, Faith in the Parks Book 1 is in that park. I met a lot of interesting people and there was never dull moment. Something was always happening. I was either helping trap wild boar, riding horse back for back country patrol, or doing search and rescue for missing persons. I used several of my own experiences in the story, tweaking them a bit here or there to fit with the flow of the narrative. This book is near and dear to my heart just as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is. Working there was the best job I ever had, other than writing of course, and I loved it. I hope my love of the park flows through my characters and spills out for readers to experience and enjoy.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 4

Bizwings Blog, November 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 5

For Him and My Family, November 6

Blogging With Carol, November 6

Texas Book-aholic, November 7

For the Love of Literature, November 8

Artistic Nobody, November 8 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

deb’s Book Review, November 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 10

Betti Mace, November 11

Labor Not in Vain, November 11

Inklings and notions, November 12

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 13

Mary Hake, November 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 15

Pause for Tales, November 15

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J. Carol is giving away the grand prize a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10330/mountain-of-peril-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Purchase

Certain Threat, #3 Protection Inc, by Kimberly Rose Johnson Review and Giveaway

October 18, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Certain Threat

Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Katrina White’s garage explodes and she fears someone is out to get her.

Not long after Katrina overhears two people talking about robbing the bank where she works, her attached garage explodes. With the help of her neighbor, Frank Davis, she escapes the burning home after a storage shelf falls over, trapping her beneath it.

The co-owner of Protection Inc. has one thing on his mind for the week of Christmas—rest and relaxation, but when his favorite neighbor needs his help he calls in his team. Unable to turn their backs on someone Frank clearly has feelings for, the co-owners agree to help out Katrina.

When things escalate, Frank is certain of two things—he cares a lot for Katrina and he can’t let anything happen to her.

Join the team of Protection Inc. this Christmas where love is in the air even in the midst of danger.

Click here to get your copy!

My Impressions

The perfect title. Kimberly Rose Johnson nailed her title in this intriguing finalé of her romantic suspense series, Protection, Inc.
Certain Threat. It certainly is. And it is the only thing that is firmly established.
As Frank Davis, a retired Seattle police veteran, and his coworkers try valiantly to safeguard his neighbor Katrina White, many questions arise. Why is Katrina being targeted? What did she really overhear? Can she be trusted? The conclusions came with relief after being tossed back and forth with so many viable theories I couldn’t decide which I would personally choose.

I enjoyed the stories of Frank and Katrina and Marc and Carissa along the way. It was neat getting more backstory on Frank and Carissa’s time on the Force. And the conclusion was just perfect. I often talk about a reader having to set aside a certain amount of disbelief for a story to work. Not so here, the conclusion was very satisfying and realistic. That always brings points from me. Romance, faith, real life, and dangerous mystery. Ms. Johnson created the perfect storm. Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. I voluntarily leave these thoughts and all opinions are my own.

My Rating

Magnificent!

About the Author

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

More from Kimberly

Certain Threat was one of my favorite books to write. There are three point of view characters. Two have been in the series from book one and the third is a new addition in this book.

I adore Frank, the hero of this book. The man is tough, honest, and always does his best to do the right thing. He’s a good example for his younger business partners who like to do things their own way, especially Carissa.

For me the most fun part about writing this book was getting inside Frank’s head. He comes across as tough and sometime gruff, but he is a marshmallow on the inside when it comes to Katrina, his neighbor. Katrina brings out a side in Frank we haven’t yet witnessed and it was a blast to write—no pun intended. LOL you’ll understand when you read the book.

I look forward to writing future books in this series and going deeper with the rest of the Protection Inc. team and their friends.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 19

Worthy2Read, October 20

21st Century Keeper at Home, October 20

Texas Book-aholic, October 21

Inklings and notions, October 22

deb’s Book Review, October 22

Betti Mace, October 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 24

Mary Hake, October 24

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 25

April Hayman, Author, October 25

Splashes of Joy, October 26

Artistic Nobody, October 26 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 27

mypreciousbitsandmusings, October 27

Aryn the Libraryan, October 28

CarpeDiem, October 28

For Him and My Family, October 29

Daysong Reflections, October 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 30

Bigreadersite, October 30

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 31

Blossoms and Blessings, October 31

Simple Harvest Reads, November 1 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Bizwings Blog, November 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberly is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10266/certain-threat-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Purchase

The Fault in Firelight, #2 Hometown Holiday Heartstrings by Emily Dana Botrous

October 10, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Fault in Firelight

Series: #2 Hometown Holiday Heroes

Author: Emily Dana Botrous

Publisher: Emily Dana Botrous

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Released: September, 2020

He knows the pain of betrayal. She has a past that could ruin her future. What can heal their brokenness?

Tony Coniglio loves being single again and the freedom that comes with it. But when he’s pressured to ask out the next available woman, he agrees, just to get his family off his back—even though she’s the town’s all-too-serious cop.

Officer Stacy Kallisto is by the book. Maybe it’s because she once broke the rules and has regretted it ever since. When trouble around town leaves Stacy searching for the culprit, she keeps running into Tony, the one man who wants to know more about her than she wants to share.

As sparks fly and secrets are revealed, Stacy wonders if there’s room in her heart for a man so different from herself—and for the God she wrote off long ago.

My Impressions

Having earlier read The Trouble with Tulips, I jumped at the chance to read Emily Dana Botrous’s next book, The Fault in Firelight. After losing a brotherly bet, divorced Tony Coniglio is told he has a week to ask out the next single woman who walks through the door. Unfortunately, that lady is policewoman Stacy Kallisto, who promptly refuses Tony. Now that her storage unit has been vandalized, he’ll have to contact her again.
“Relationships required trust. Trust and secrets made for a poor mix, and she’d sacrificed too much to let the truth out for a man.” Stacy is a superior police officer, and next in line for the police chief’s role, but her private life is a mess. Torn by regrets, insecurities, and bitterness, she has built a wall around her heart.

Tony is a deeply caring and fun guy who finds himself surprised at his attraction to Officer Kallisto. Working with her to find out who burglarized her storage unit, he falls harder and harder, only to have Stacy hold him at arm’s distance.
I enjoyed this novel. It contains elements of a contemporary romance, mixed with romantic suspense, mixed with a bit of a psychological study. ( Why do people do what they do? How and why does that affect the character so deeply? ) And most importantly, can Stacy and Tony break the repeated cycles and shackles that bind them and find the love they yearn for?

If you enjoy contemporary romance and romantic suspense with tidbits of faith to guide you, this is a book for you. Plus there are more coming. Marcy’s story is up soon. I’ll be here.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

My Rating

Great!

About the Author

Emily Dana Botrous lives in San Diego, California with her husband and their four children. She lived in 10 states before she settled on the West Coast where she plans to stay for awhile. She started writing short stories at age 10 and studied English in college. The only thing she enjoys more than writing is motherhood. While there are a lot of things that matter to Emily, nothing is more important to her than Jesus Christ. It is her goal to point anyone who reads her writing toward Him. When Emily isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, long walks, music, and playing with her kids. “A New Shade of Paint” is her first book.

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour

Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty with Giveaway

August 30, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Rescued Hearts

Author: Hope Toler Dougherty

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: September 19, 2017

Children’s clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball’s soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar-entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Beaten, bound, and gagged by the two thugs inside, Mary Wade loses hope for escape when a third villain returns with supplies.Discovering the kidnapped, innocent woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Weighing the difference of ruining his three months’ investigation against the woman’s safety, Brett forsakes his mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind.When Mary Wade’s safety is threatened once more, Brett rescues her again. This time, her personal safety isn’t the only thing in jeopardy. Her heart is endangered as well.

Click here to get your copy!

My Impressions

“You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Hmm, maybe not, but you sure can increase the chances of a reader picking it up if it has an enticing look to it. I chose Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty first because of the irresistible cover. The kitten, the rundown cottage, and sinister clouds produce just the right effect.
Mary Wade Kimball is house-sitting when she stumbles into an undercover operation and finds herself kidnapped by two fiendish characters. What happens next is incredible, but works for this romantic suspense novel.

Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t really connect with the characters until about 40% of the way through.
Once I got that far, I began to enjoy the novel much more, and the relationship, or possible relationship, between Mary Wade and Brett Davis. Brett has been hurt before and is super cautious, confusing Mary Wade. Mary Wade tries hard to forget him, but circumstances conspire against her.
Gigi, Brett’s grandmother, is a wonderful source of support for Brett. She is a great cook and has a sharp mind and impeccable timing. She’s a card well-played.
I liked the end but wasn’t really comfortable with the settling of one of the problems. It seemed a little simple, give the amount of time spent on setting up the conflict.

Still, a fun read all in all. The road to true love is never smooth. Try an afternoon with Rescued Hearts and be ready for a bumpy ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own. No positive review was required.

My Rating

Great!

About the Author

Hope holds a Master’s degree and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her novels include Irish Encounter and Mars…With Venus Rising, Rescued Hearts, and Forever Music. She’s a member of ACFW and RWA. Residing in North Carolina, she and her husband enjoy visits with their daughters and twin sons.

More from Hope

I live in the country on land my great grandfather owned. For exercise, I ride my bike on our two-lane roads. One afternoon a few years ago, I took a detour off the paved road and onto a dirt path not too far from my house.

The lane meanders by the location of a distant cousin’s long-since demolished house. Trees and a few bushes still outline the phantom house’s parameters, but no boards or bricks mark the spot. Farm equipment waits under nearby shelters.

As I passed the lonely trees and silent tractors, a creepy sensation tickled the back of my neck. My imagination kicked into gear. What if a bike rider rode by an abandoned house? What if she saw a kitten entangled in a honeysuckle vine at the porch steps? What if, while she tried to free the kitten, someone grabbed her and dragged her inside where she was beaten and threatened with rape?

My pedaling picked up speed, and I reached home in record time.

Those questions continued popping up in my mind, however. I began seeing the characters, then hearing them speak every night as I dropped off to sleep. I’d never written a romantic suspense story before, but the characters refused to leave me alone.

Those initial questions led to the first chapter of Rescued Hearts.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 26

Betti Mace, August 27

Texas Book-aholic, August 28

deb’s Book Review, August 28

Inklings and notions, August 29

For Him and My Family, August 30

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 1

Batya’s Bits, September 2

Older & Smarter?, September 3

CarpeDiem, September 4

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 6

Life, Love, Writing, September 6

Artistic Nobody, September 7 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hope is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Rescued Hearts!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/ffb5/rescued-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

Bethany House, BLOG, NetGalley

Dead End, #3 Kaely Quinn Profiler, by Nancy Mehl

August 1, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

51044063._SX318_SY475_

Title: Dead End

Series: #3 Kaely Quinn Profiler

Author: Nancy Mehl

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Released: March 2020

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

When a body is discovered in a field in Iowa, the police uncover fourteen additional corpses ranging from 20 years old to recent. The remains point to a serial killer with an MO the authorities have seen before–Ed Oliphant, a man who has been in prison for over 20 years . . . and is Special Agent Kaely Quinn’s father. After several failed interview attempts to discover if Ed has been training someone to be a copycat killer, the police turn to Kaely in St. Louis.

Kaely promised herself she would never step foot in her hometown or set eyes on her father again. She’s always refused to confront her past, but if she wants to prevent any more deaths, she must come face-to-face with the man she’s hated for years.
As more bodies are discovered, Kaely races against time and her own personal turmoil to uncover the killer. Will this most personal case yet cost Kaely her identity and perhaps even her life?

My Review

If you like intense romantic suspense, with the emphasis on suspense, this Kaely Quinn,

Profiler series by Nancy Mehl may be the one for you. I just finished the third and final

book, Dead End. Personally, Mehl has taken me to the end of my ability to endure with

her Kaely character. Kaely is very focused on her work and will let nothing get in the

way of her catching the worst criminals. Even if her methods are unorthodox.

Unfortunately, her pride threatens her relationships with God and her special coworker,

Noah.

Noah and Kaely travel to Iowa to interview Kaely’s father, an infamous serial killer, in

hopes of stopping a new serial killer. While Kaely may be the only hope to get the

Raggedy Man to talk, will she self-destruct before the mission is accomplished?

Noah grows by leaps and bounds in this novel, but I almost want to tell Noah he’s headed

down a dead-end path.

Never did I see the ending coming.

I appreciated that Mehl shows

equal parts evil and good in this fictional crime-chiller story. Mehl shows that man’s

depravity comes from the pit itself. Only God can combat that kind of horrendous

opposition, and we must be fully equipped. As such, there is a lot of Scripture included in

this book.

Who will Kaely rely on- herself, her unusual friend, God, and or Noah?

Noah knows God doesn’t always rescue His people. Grab this book and grab your closest

huggable as you read super-speed to discover whether Kaely can survive.

(My closest huggable, Samson.)

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through

NetGalley, plus I bought a copy. This in no way influenced my opinions, which are solely

my own.

My Rating

5 Stars- Hit My Reading Sweet Spot

About the Author

630286 Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. First published in 2001, she has now authored nine books, including an omnibus mystery collection, Cozy in Kansas, which contains three of her previously published Ivy Towers mysteries. Book three in the series, For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls, won the American Christian Fiction Writers Mystery Book of the Year award. Nancy’s main writing interests lie in mystery although her new Harmony Series leans more toward the romantic suspense genre. Nancy runs a HUD program for the city of Wichita and is president of a volunteer organization, Wichita Homebound Outreach. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Kansas Authors Club.

Connect with Nancy at via her

Website

http://nancymehl.com/

Twitter

NancyMehl

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Silent Shadows, #3 Harbored Secrets by Natalie Walters

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

46161120

Title: Silent Shadows

Series: #3 Harbored Secrets

Author: Natalie Walters

Publisher: Revell

Released: March 2020

Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her. When a series of strange circumstances evolve into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally–her stubborn patient.

Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the undiagnosed disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton’s involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer–and more deadly–than they realized.

With this suspenseful new story, Natalie Walters welcomes you once more to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name–but no one knows your secret.

My Review

“Pecca Gallegos never thought she’d be turning down a marriage proposal…much less four of them.” So starts Silent Shadows, romantic suspense by Natalie Walters. #3 in the Harbored Secrets series, Silent Shadows is a stand-alone that I expect to see in my Top Books for 2020 at year’s end.
What did I love so much about this book? It seems realistic. I enjoyed Nurse Pecca, who is a physical therapist, working at a home for injured veterans. She seems like an every-day, down-to-earth person, with an unfortunate background.
Rising out of that past may be one of the strongest parts of the novel, supporting character Maceo, Pecca’s 7 year- old son, who has a leg prosthetic. Of course, Captain Colton Crawford is a swoony, but broken part of this equation. When he develops a relationship with Maceo, Pecca can’t help but like the Captain, even with his disability. But will he ever stop seeing the future as discarded dreams and instead see unexpected opportunities?

Silent Shadows1

There are many secondary threads or characters that strengthen this narrative beautifully. We start with the romance, a possible love triangle, and unknown danger. Now add the secondary storyline of Maceo, plus thickening threads. The danger thread builds nicely. Where is it coming from? Great twists. Another thread is Charlie and Lacy and the coming baby. I love Shirley with her loving, nurturing ways and all the other vets with their love and friendly service competition.

Silent Shadows 2

One last thread that appealed to me was the realism of the seizures. Not fun. But I could see them in my mind. Good research there. These different story strands tighten the weave of the book until it is a multi-faceted, taut romantic suspense.
All in all, I reckon I just loved this book!
Quotes:

“If you want to win the game, you’ve got to know who you’re playing.”

“He had no idea what he did to deserve this or why he was being punished- only if this was his life sentence, he would’ve chosen the alternative.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Revell.
All opinions are my own, for which I am solely responsible.

My Rating

5 Stars- Superior- Hits My Reading Sweet Spot

About the Author

18471823 My world revolves around GIJOE and our three adult (or almost adult) children who keep my life anything but predictable. Our boots hit the ground wherever the Army sends us but home is when we’re all together no matter the zipcode. My passion is writing stories where adventure meets love and share my belief that life rooted in purpose is a story worth telling.

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson

One Little Lie, #1 Pelican Harbor Series by Colleen Coble

March 14, 2020March 14, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: One Little Lie

Author: Colleen Coble

Series: Pelican Harbor #1

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 3, 2020

50852923._SX318_SY475_ It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth in this gripping new romantic suspense.

Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama after her father retires, but there’s no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane quickly realizes she’s facing someone out to destroy the only family she has.

After escaping with her father from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is well-known for his documentaries, and his latest project involves covering Jane’s career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid’s calm manner as he follows her around filming, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross—especially once her father’s lie catches up with him.

Click here to get your copy.

My Rating

5 Stars – Superior – Hits My Reading Sweet Spot (If only we didn’t have to wait for the ending!) 😦

My Review

A green police chief, vigilante justice, and a town full of secrets. Mixing these together with Colleen Coble’s compelling suspense and a dollop of romance brings you One Little Lie, a “most excellent” police adventure.
I really loved the storyline and most of the characters. The jury is still out on a few of them, namely the mayor, whom I’m trying to figure out. I did enjoy Jane Hardy and Reid and Will Dixon. Will sounds like one very neat teenager. Jane and Reid work together well. I have to wonder about how involved Reid was in the cases, as a civilian. Yet, my mind argues back that real life can be hard to separate into separate columns, and this just solidifies that point.

Pelican Harbor 1
The bay seems to be a little murky and so are so many of the relationships in this faith-filled novel. We see true friendship, bad parenting, misguided parenting, great parenting, and arms that lost the child they should have parented. I can just imagine Jane, if she had a theme song, singing “Lies,” from Jonathan Butler eons ago. The question is, who would she be singing it about? Faith, love, forgiveness, deceit, and revenge all surface in Pelican Harbor. Unfortunately for us, the readers, a neat ending does not. I appreciated Coble’s note that explained her reasoning. I appreciated that we had a “soft” ending, with more to come in the next Pelican Harbor installment ( Two Reasons to Run, coming September 2020), rather than a rushed, messy ending. Definitely a book to pick up, but preferably during daylight hours, with plenty of safe people around.

Pelican Harbor 2
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinions, which are solely my own.

About the Author

33227 Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. You can visit her website at http://colleencoble.com.

Blog Stops

Back Porch Reads, March 10

Life of Literature, March 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 10

Texas Book-aholic, March 10

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 11

The Avid Reader, March 11

Lighthouse Academy, March 11

By The Book, March 12

Older & Smarter?, March 12

Through the Fire Blogs, March 12

Remembrancy, March 12

Betti Mace, March 13

April Hayman, Author, March 13

Emily Yager, March 13

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 14

Bigreadersite, March 14

deb’s Book Review, March 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 15

Inklings and notions, March 15

CarpeDiem, March 15

Christian Bookaholic, March 15

Just the Write Escape, March 16

For Him and My Family, March 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 16

Robin’s Nest, March 17

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 17

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 17

Stories By Gina, March 18

Janicesbookreviews, March 18

Mary Hake, March 18

Empowermoms, March 18

For the Love of Literature, March 19

Blossoms and Blessings, March 19

Because I said so – and other adventures in Parenting, March 19

Hallie Reads, March 19

A Baker’s Perspective, March 20

Quiet Quilter, March 20

Simple Harvest Reads, March 20 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Splashes of Joy, March 21

Moments, March 21

amandainpa, March 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 21

Pause for Tales, March 22

Britt Reads Fiction, March 22

Spoken from the Heart, March 22

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 22

To Everything There is a Season, March 23

Life love writing, March 23

Daysong Reflections, March 23

Lights in a Dark World, March 23

*No Giveaway for this Celebration Tour

Bethany House, BLOG, NetGalley

Seconds to Live, #1 Homeland Heroes by Susan Sleeman

December 4, 2019 Babbling Becky L

43887317._SY475_

About the Book

Title: Seconds to Live

Series: Homeland Heroes

Author: Susan Sleeman

Publisher: Bethany House

Released: December 2019

When cybercriminals hack into the U.S. Marshal’s Witness Protection database and auction off personal details to the highest bidder, FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. Trouble is, he has to work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, who knows the secrets of his past, and the seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

My Review

As usual, Susan Sleeman draws readers in with the very first sentence. Sleeman’s writing in Seconds to Live, like her other works, is concise, taut, and suspenseful in a beyond-terrifying way. Yet Sleeman uses her remarkable knowledge of the cyber crimes world to craft a novel that is both thoughtful and uplifting. When I finished this book, my thought was, if Taylor and Sean can learn to trust God in their over-the-top FBI dangerous jobs, surely I can trust Him with my own life. Besides, even though both Taylor and Sean have jobs most of us can only imagine, their feelings, actions, and conversations make them very relatable.

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While I didn’t much like Dustee, I almost felt sorry for her. Not many in our techie world today would be able to go long periods without some connection to technology. Yet, Dustee had to stay completely away from the internet. Oy, vey!
All of Sleeman’s characters on the Red Team are introduced with enough character that my reading mind is tantalized with the idea of wanting to know them more.
Quotes:
” ‘And all this pacing and frustration out here in the hall means you’re trusting Him?’ It was just like her to call him on his struggle.”

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“But if Sean had learned anything on the Montgomery Three investigation, he’d learned God was in control. Not him. God. That was true now, too, and was worth remembering.”

“We all live in hiding to some degree…people in hiding want someone to care enough to look for them…”

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Bethany House through Netgalley. I also received a copy direct from the author. This does not affect my opinions, which are solely my own.

My Rating

5 Stars – Hit My Reading Sweet Spot

About the Author

SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over thirty-five novels with more than one 4053429 million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real.
In addition to writing, Susan also hosts TheSuspenseZone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.
To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies. http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-ne…

Or stop by any of these locations on the web.
Website – http://www.susansleeman.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanB…
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman
Review Site – http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com

BLOG, NetGalley, Revell

Deadly Deceit, #2 Harboring Secrets by Natalie Walters

November 24, 2019November 24, 2019 Babbling Becky L

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Affiliate links are used in this blog. I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.

About the Book

Title: Deadly Deceit

Series: Harbored Secrets

Author: Natalie Walters

Publisher: Revell

Released: November 2019

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason — to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian’s only hope for finding the truth — and the next big story — is small-town law enforcement’s lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers — and her life.

Get your copy here.

My Review

I was both excited and apprehensive when I saw this title, Deadly Deceit, by Natalie Walters was available. Excited because I love romantic suspense. Apprehensive because I realized I hadn’t yet read the first book in the series.
So let me answer that unasked question first. As someone who hasn’t read the first book, Deadly Deceit can stand well on its own.
Vivian DeMarco is a reporter at the Gazette, a small-town newspaper. Her boss, Harold, dies before he can tell her about a huge story- a ”marmalade dropper.” Enter Deputy Ryan Frost, who wants De Marco out of his professional life but deep in his personal life.

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Walters does a great job of causing the reader to identify with the characters. I felt so bad for Vivian’s loss of the father-figure when Harold dies. I could feel her resentment and understand the issues. I did have trouble understanding the lack of a firm trust between Vivian and Ryan as their relationship progresses. I also took issue with the fact that the author would suddenly switch point-of-view between any characters she wished without some kind of warning. Often authors use separate chapters, curlicue signs between paragraphs, scribbles, anything to separate two different paragraphs coming at the reader from different point-of-views. I was left rereading paragraphs and feeling put-out. I am told this issue may be corrected in the final paperback (and kindle?) version.

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The mystery aspect was good. The danger ratchets up near the end, as it should, and the ending was well-timed and brought a true sense of relief.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own.

My Rating

4 Stars – Excellent – I would recommend it to a friend.

About the Author

My world revolves around GIJOE and our three adult (or almost adult) children who 18471823 keep my life anything but predictable. Our boots hit the ground wherever the Army sends us but home is when we’re all together no matter the zipcode. My passion is writing stories where adventure meets love and share my belief that life rooted in purpose is a story worth telling.

You can follow Natalie Walters at the following:

https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com

Twitter

natwalterswrite

https://www.goodreads.com/nataliewalterswriter

BLOG, NetGalley, Revell

One Final Breath, #3 Dive Team Investigations by Lynn H. Blackburn

October 9, 2019 Babbling Becky L

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About the Book

Title: One Final Breath

Series: Dive Team Investigations

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Publisher: Revell

Released: September 2019

Investigator Gabe Chavez and Dive Team Captain Anissa Bell have a complicated history. But when Anissa’s fractured past collides with Gabe’s investigation of a shooting, they must work together to catch the murderer before someone else dies.

Lynn Blackburn has returned for the last hurrah for her Dive Team series, #3, One Final Breath. Gabe Chavez and Anissa Bell rise to the foreground on this novel, falling for each other while trying to escape painful pasts.
The rest of the team is back, fleshing out the character list and bringing love, amusement, and memories from former books. Which leads me to relate that this novel is quite capable of being a standalone; it’s just sweeter when the reader can identify with the backstory presented.

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The friendship and camaraderie of the dive team and their significant others really impressed me. Between the locale, the season, and the warm atmosphere the friends create, life was almost idyllic…
Until it wasn’t. Then life was frantic, uncertain, vomiting past terrifying experiences up in front of those who most needed to remain calm and collected.
Paisley Wilson is an interesting character to watch. The reader won’t know what to make of Gabe’s arch-nemesis who is suddenly very much a part of this case.

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If the romance, intrigue, and suspense aren’t enough motivation, Mr. Cook returns and is a great reason to read this book. Everyone needs a Mr. Cook in their lives! He prays his way through adversity and sees much more than is actually visible.
Get this book and dive deep into some great suspense.
I received this book from the author through Revell and NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are solely my own.

My Rating

5 Stars – Superior- Hit my reading sweet spot!

About the Author

Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Beneath the Surface, In Too Deep, Hidden Legacy, and Covert Justice. Winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense, and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel, Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially 17521786 those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.