Romantic Suspense | Daysong Reflections

Deadly Connection by Jennifer Pierce

by admin | Nov 12, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Deadly Connection is one of those books that jumps right into the action and barely gives the reader a chance to catch a breath or two before it’s off again. The narrative is filled with danger, suspense, more danger, and mysteries to be solved, all blended well with a strong helping of faith and a touch of romance,

Strong characters carry the story to its gripping conclusion. Reid Lucas, private investigator finds himself responsible to protect Quinn Matthews and her young son. None of them has a clue why she is suddenly required to run for her very life and Reid is risking his life for them also. The plot is filled with enough twists and surprises to keep even the most dedicated suspense fan happy and the spontaneous romance adds a welcome break from the danger and suspense.

I like the fact that all the characters were true-to-life. Reid and Quinn did not magically escape injury and the men after her were especially shrewd. The story flowed naturally and I was held captive by it to the very end.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Private Investigator, Reid Lucas, and his mentor, Joe Lockhart, haven’t spoken in years, but when Joe wants to meet in a small-town diner, Reid’s interest is piqued. Without explanation, Joe calls and tells Reid he has five minutes to get waitress, Quinn Matthews, and her son out of the diner before they’re kidnapped by the group of thugs about to walk through the diner’s front door. Quinn Matthews’ life is simple and safe, exactly how she likes it—until Reid Lucas walks into the diner. Now, she and her son are running for their lives, and she has no idea why. But when the father of her son shows up and dies saving them, she realizes they all have one deadly connection: Joe Lockhart. Now, she’ll have to trust the mysterious private investigator to not only save their lives but connect her past to her present so they can figure out who is after them. And why. As the danger escalates, unexpected feelings arise. Reid doesn’t believe he’s worthy of Quinn’s love–or God’s. And Quinn is too worried about having her heart broken again and the effect of having a new man in her son’s life. Can they let go of their preconceived notions of love and relationships, or are they doomed to just let go of each other?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Pierce currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and two children. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and River Valley Writers, where she serves as secretary.

Website: lovereadwriterepeat.wordpress.com

Texas Holiday Hideout by Virginia Vaughan

by admin | Oct 18, 2020 | Books, Law Enforcement, Love Inspired, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Witness Protection

MY REVIEW:

Texas Holiday Hideout is a good example of why I enjoy Love Inspired Suspense. Due to its short mass market format, the reader jumps into the story feet first and only slows down for an occasional breath or two before the action picks up again. I also love that I can usually get through the entire novel in an evening so I don’t expect a long commitment to it, especially when I’m having a busy week. I am constantly amazed at how the Love Inspired authors are able to condense a story into a limited amount of pages without leaving me feeling deprived. In my opinion that takes true talent.

The story itself is somewhat unique. The heroine finds herself in need of witness protection after her mother’s murder only to discover that she has already been in the program unknowingly most of her life. Now that would do a real number on most people’s trust factor. Her own mother lied to her! Now to stay safe herself, she is forced to lie again and she doesn’t like it one bit. But she would do almost anything to protect her precious young son. U.S. Marshall Miles Avery is doing everything he can to keep Melissa and her son safe and his family has taken them both into their hearts. Can he continue to protect his own heart?

Lots of danger, action, suspense, and romance are in store for readers of Texas Holiday Hideout. Filled with multiple twists, turns, and surprises it is a tale that kept me turning the pages until the very end. Its emphasis on faith and trust was strong but subtle. Another winner from Virginia Vaughan and Love Inspired Suspense.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Texas Holiday Hideout

Author: Virginia Vaughan

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 1, 2020

Click here to get your copy!

When her identity’s exposed, hiding on a lawman’s family ranch is her last hope.

After her mother is killed, Melissa Morgan’s shocked to learn she’s spent her life in witness protection. Now it’s US marshal Miles Avery’s job to keep her and her little boy safe. And with a mole in his agency, the only way to evade the killer is to hide Melissa on Miles’s family ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Virginia Vaughan is a multi-published author of inspirational romantic suspense. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, Virginia utilizes her criminal justice background with her love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger.

MORE FROM VIRGINIA:

What if one day you discovered you were in the Witness Protection Program and didn’t know it?

This is the premise for my October book, TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT, which releases this month. My heroine, Melissa Morgan, learns she and her mother entered the program when Melissa was a child. Her mother never told her and, when Melissa witnesses her mother being murdered, she becomes the assassin’s next target. US Marshal Miles Avery steps in to protect the single mom and her son from a killer, but a leak in WITSEC leaves him with little options except to take his witnesses to his family’s ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.

So, in celebration of TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT releasing this month, here are 10 things about the Witness Protection Security Program (or WITSEC) I learned during my research for this book.

The program is voluntary. No one can be forced to enter.
You can leave the program at any time—although it is not recommended.
No person in the program, who follows the rules, has ever been killed.
People entering WITSEC sometimes keep their same first name and/or initials so that if they mess up and start to sign their name, they have time to correct.
Since WITSEC is a federal program, many states have their own programs to protect witnesses of gang or street-level crimes.
If you get married while in WITSEC, you must lie to your new spouse to protect your true identity in the event the relationship doesn’t last.
Protected witnesses are mostly criminals. Only about 5% are innocents despite the popular trope in movies and fiction.
Local law enforcement may or may not be notified when a protected witness is relocated to their jurisdiction.
Divorced, non-custodial parents have had their children hidden from them and now must agree to allow their children to enter the program.
WITSEC protected witnesses are expected to eventually become self-sufficient. They do not get to live off the government for the rest of their lives.

Did any of these facts about WITSEC surprise you? I’d love to hear which ones. I had a lot of fun researching WITSEC for TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT. I hope you enjoy Miles and Melissa’s story! Look out for the next book in the series—middle brother Navy SEAL Paul Avery’s story—coming in TEXAS TARGET STANDOFF in March of 2021.

BLOG STOPS:

Through the Fire Blogs, October 8

Genesis 5020, October 8

Hallie Reads, October 8

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

Through the Lens of Scripture, October 9

Texas Book-aholic, October 9

reviewingbooksplusmore, October 9

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 10

deb’s Book Review, October 10

The Cafe Scholar, October 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 11

KarenSueHadley, October 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 11

Older & Smarter?, October 12

Inklings and notions, October 12

Simple Harvest Reads, October 12 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

She Lives To Read, October 13

Hebrews 12 Endurance, October 13

For Him and My Family, October 13

Betti Mace, October 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 14

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 15

lakesidelivingsite, October 15

Lighthouse Academy, October 15

To Everything There Is A Season, October 15

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 16

Blogging With Carol, October 16

Book Love, October 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 17

Batya’s Bits, October 17

Emily Yager, October 18

Labor Not in Vain, October 18

HookMeInABook, October 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 19

Mary Hake, October 19

Daysong Reflections, October 19

For the Love of Literature, October 20

Bigreadersite, October 20

EmpowerMoms, October 20

Blossoms and Blessings, October 21

Splashes of Joy, October 21

Pause for Tales, October 21

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Virginia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Texas Holiday Hideout!!

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/101f3/texas-holiday-hideout-celebration-tour-giveaway

Expecting Danger by Jennifer Pierce

by admin | Sep 11, 2020 | Books, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Ever since her recovery from a gunshot wound by the same men who murdered her husband, Kate has been on the run for her life. No matter what safe house she has been placed, somehow the killer has managed to find her. Not trusting her protectors, Kate has gone it alone but her pursuers have found her again. If only she knew what they wanted from her. Eight months pregnant, all Kate wants is peace and a safe place to prepare for her baby.

Still grieving the loss of his own wife and unborn child, security expert Jacob Jones cannot ignore Kate when he realizes that she is in danger and needs someone to help her. Even though doing so resurrects unwanted memories, Jacob is determined to win Kate’s trust and make certain she and her baby survive.

Jennifer Pierce is another new author to me so I was unsure what to expect from Expecting Danger. What I found was a fast-paced, suspense-filled tale that kept me scrolling my ereader as fast as I could read. I loved Jacob’s character, an honorable man who could have easily walked away from Kate’s troubles and left her to fend for herself. His faith and integrity shone through and eventually won Kate’s trust and love by the end of the story. The plot was well developed with vivid imagery and strong characterizations. A perfect blend of danger, suspense, romance, and faith, Expecting Danger was a welcome read to fill a few hours of my spare time. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Kate has been on the run from the men who killed her husband and left her for dead–which isn’t easy considering she’s eight months pregnant–but now they’ve found her. Again. Still reeling from her late husband’s betrayal, the last thing Kate wants is the help of a handsome stranger.

Security expert, Jacob Jones, is still grieving the loss of his pregnant wife, and he’s not ready to move on. But when he thwarts an attempted abduction of the beautiful Kate, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. Despite her reluctance, he’s determined to do whatever it takes to save her, including giving up his own life.

Kate’s only option is to take a leap of faith and allow Jacob to help her. But can she trust him to keep her and her unborn baby alive? Or will he fail her like everyone else in her life?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Pierce currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and two children. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and River Valley Writers, where she serves as secretary.

Website: lovereadwriterepeat.wordpress.com

Rocky Mountain Revenge by Rhonda Starnes

by admin | Jul 26, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Just Read, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

The opening scene of Rocky Mountain Revenge sets the tone for an action-packed, mysterious, suspense filled tale the kept me turning the pages and fully engrossed until the very end. If this debut novel is any indication of Rhonda Starnes’ talent as an author, I certainly look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Grace Porter has returned to her home town to temporarily help her sister at the family veterinary clinic. It quickly becomes evident that someone would like to see both the sisters dead. Police chief Evan Bradford is the man Grace left behind but he is determined to protect Grace and to help her discover who is behind the attacks and the reasons why.

The plot is well developed with just the right blend of action, danger, humor, and romance to make a compelling story. I liked how an element of faith was woven into the narrative without being intrusive. Although I did have a suspect in mind before the end of the book, a red herring or two had me questioning my choice. Rocky Mountain Revenge is another great Love Inspired Suspense and lovers of that imprint should add this author to their must read list.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

To survive her deadly homecoming
she’ll need to trust a man from her past…

Temporarily home to help at her family’s vet clinic, Grace Porter has no intentions of staying—but someone’s determined she won’t live long enough to leave. With both Grace and her sister in the crosshairs, her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Evan Bradshaw, must protect them. But can the single dad lawman uncover the truth about why a killer’s out for vengeance before time runs out?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rhonda Starnes is a middle school language arts teacher who has dreamed of being a published author since she was in seventh grade. She lives in North Alabama with her husband, who she lovingly refers to as Mountain Man. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Rhonda writes romantic suspense with rugged heroes and feisty heroines.

https://rhondastarnes.com

Don’t Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard

by admin | Jul 11, 2020 | Books, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Elizabeth Goddard has earned her place on my list of must read suspense authors. Her Uncommon Justice series has been first rate all the way and Don’t Keep Silent is the icing on the cake. Goddard offers her readers a tale of nonstop action, mystery and suspense, with ample clues along the way yet somehow managed to keep me guessing until the very end.

Characters are both well-rounded and relatable. I honestly cared about Liam and Rae and hoped that they not only would find Rae’s sister-in-law but that their relationship would be restored. Several possible suspects looked good as the villain in my opinion and I was wrong more than once. The narrative included a surprise or two that helped to keep things interesting. A strong message of faith was included but was not intrusive.

Don’t Keep Silent was an enjoyable read that kept this suspense fan happy for a few hours. I look forward to this author’s next series.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided for the author’s influencer team. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Justice comes easy for these two. But forgiveness? That’s another matter altogether.

Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he doesn’t feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he’s less than thrilled. But Rae’s keen investigative skills have led her down the right path–and directly into the dragon’s mouth–leaving Liam no choice but to protect her.

As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other . . .

Purchase a copy here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Goddard has sold over one million books and is the award-winning author of more than 40 romance novels and counting, including the romantic mystery The Camera Never Lies–a 2011 Carol Award winner. She is a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense finalist for her Mountain Cove series–Buried, Backfire, and Deception–and a Carol Award finalist for Submerged. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.ElizabethGoddard.com.

Dead Silence by Robin Caroll – Celebrate Lit Review

by admin | Jul 1, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Dead Silence is a contemporary suspense that could easily be inspired by current news and kicked up a notch or two. Featuring Elise Carmichael, widowed mother of a young deaf son, the story begins with Elise accidentally reading lips of a man discussing a murder plot. Once she has relayed the information to the FBI, Elise quickly finds herself and her son threatened time and time again. The danger ramps up with each page as Elise, her sister-in-law, and others work together to identify the person behind the threats.

I enjoyed the character of Elise, a gutsy mama bear of a woman who would do everything possible to protect her beloved son. It was fun watching her face off with the FBI agents – this woman pretty much told them what she thought of them. I also liked how she took things into her own hands when she felt that law enforcement was not doing enough to solve the case. A subtle faith message highlighted a disillusioned Elise who slowly found her way back to God.

I did have my suspicions early on but the narrative really didn’t let any obvious hints slip by to diminish my enjoyment of the story. Dead Silence would be a great book to recommend to those friends who may be looking for a good suspense without romantic elements to detract from the rest of the story. I recommend this book as well as Caroll’s previous novels.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Dead Silence

Author: Robin Caroll

Genre: Christian Suspense

Release Date: June 2020

Click here to get your copy!

Political games can be deadly…

Elise Carmichael is a court sign language interpreter who reads lips all the time. As a widow with a young son who is deaf, lip reading is simply second nature, until the day she reads the lips of someone on the phone discussing an attempt to be made on a senator’s life—a senator who just happens to be her mother-in-law. Before she can decide what she needs to do, she receives the information that her son is rushed to the ER and she must leave. Then she later sees the news report that her mother-in-law has been shot and killed. But when she comes forward, her life, as well as her son’s life, may now be in the crosshairs of the assassin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I’ve never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better. Robin’s passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others and come alongside them on their faith journey—aspects Robin weaves into each of her twenty-five-plus published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends quality time with her husband of nearly three decades, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home. Robin gives back to the writing community by serving as executive director/conference director for ACFW. Her books have been recognized in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year. You can find out more about Robin by visiting www.robincaroll.com.

MORE FROM ROBIN:

Hi, there. . .Robin here. I’m getting so excited for the release of my thirty-fourth novel, DEAD SILENCE. I have to say, I love this book. The heroine is strong, yet flawed. Her love for her son—willing to do anything to protect him is a mother’s instinct I relate to so well, having three daughters and two grandsons. The love of a mother for her child is so ingrained in me that I wanted to share that in a story.

I’ve been asked why I opted for a heroine who is an ASL translator and who has a deaf son. Many years ago, I became friends with someone who is deaf. She shared with me some of her frustrations, but also how her way of life is in comparison to mine. It got me to thinking that being deaf could be thought of as a disability but could also be used as an advantage…it was all in how you looked at it. My friend shared many stories of how she “eavesdropped” by reading lips and learned much about people and how they reacted to issues, enough that it led her into her career field today—a counselor, specializing in providing therapy for the hearing impaired as they live in a hearing world. I hope that I portrayed my characters in this positive light.

While I’m a Louisiana girl at heart, I reside in Little Rock, the capitol city for Arkansas. Since Bill and Hilary Clinton lived here and claimed it home before Bill was President, we have many political plans and posturing here. I saw it as a perfect backdrop for this particular story with the political undercurrents running rampant throughout the story.

I hope that you enjoy reading DEAD SILENCE as much as I enjoyed writing it.