Contemporary Fiction | Daysong Reflections

Hostile intent by Lynette Eason

by admin | Sep 10, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

I have always enjoyed books by Lynette Eason from the very first one I read in the Love Inspired collection. It has been fun reading every one of them and watching as the author’s skills improved book by book, nor that the first ones were at all inferior. Recommendations to friends have brought more fans to the fold. Because my maternal grandmother was born an Eason, I feel just a bit of kinship with this author even if we are most likely not related.

I know I probably say that each book is her best one yet, Hostile Intent was definitely one of my very top favorites. I loved Ava, the strong heroine who has resigned herself to a life alone due to the family secrets she guarded. Caden was the perfect hero, with a determined strength and protective nature yet sensitive enough to allow Ava leeway to take care of business.

The plot moved along at a speedy clip with one intense scenario after another. Danger and suspense lurked with each turn of the page and several surprises were in store for Ava and readers of this exciting tale. This suspenseful novel is a perfect end for an excellent series. It can easily stand on its own merits but why not read the previous books and find out what happened in the lives of Ava’s best friends.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Secrets are about to be revealed . . . but will the guilty be brought to justice?

Ava Jackson entered the military shortly after high school, but her mother’s illness has forced her to request an early discharge. She already lost her father while deployed, and there’s no way she’s going to let her mother die alone. But after a visit to the nursing facility where her mother lives, Ava is attacked walking back to her car. Fortunately, FBI Special Agent Caden Denning arrives in time to help fight off her attacker.

Caden reveals to Ava that she may hold the key to the murders of three families, and he needs her help before anyone else is harmed. The hits show a pattern, and clearly the killer has an agenda. But if Caden and Ava can’t discover what it is, Ava may be next on the hit list.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at
www.lynetteeason.com.

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

by admin | Sep 2, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Romance

MY REVIEW:

Husband Auditions is Christian Rom Com at its best. I’ll admit that the reader doesn’t have to be very psychic to know what direction the romance will take almost from the get go but oh what fun it is to follow along its twisted path.

The tale opens with Meri moving into her brother’s house after her room mate’s wedding. She is pretty discouraged because she is the last of her group of friends that is still single. It does not help that her other housemates happen to be a man she considers totally lacking in ambition and a drop-dead gorgeous woman who leaves a trail of men behind her without even noticing. When she opens the envelope slipped to her by her newly married friend, she discovers that it is the 1950s era magazine article on how to win a husband with 100 suggestions. When house mate Kai reads the list he suggests that Meri let him film her trying out some of the suggestions to post on Youtube. She finally agrees to go along with him just once and “Meri Me” turns into a viral internet sensation.

I thoroughly enjoyed Husband Auditions and all the laughs it afforded me. Angela Ruth Strong definitely has a talent for the type of romantic humor that I enjoy. The story was filled with so many funny mishaps that turned into perfect scenes for their videos. But putting the humor aside, what I also loved about Husband Auditions was the character growth and maturing of faith that was obvious in both Meri and Kai as their story progressed.

All fans of Christian Rom Com definitely need to read Husband Auditions. Take my word for it.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about.

She is the author of the Resort to Love series and the CafFUNated mysteries. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. Finding Love in Big Sky was recently filmed on location in Montana and will air soon. Her latest release is Husband Auditions.

Strong also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho and teaches as an expert online at Write That Book.

Learn more at www.angelaruthstrong.com, and follow her on Facebook (Angela Ruth Strong Fan Page), Twitter (@AngelaRStrong), and Instagram (@ang_strong).

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Angela Ruth Strong is also doing a big giveaway for a free roundtrip airline ticket on Allegiant Air.

Click HERE to enter.

The Yes Dare: a Pies Books & Jesus Book Club by Kathleen Y’Barbo

by admin | Aug 27, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Second Chance Romance

MY REVIEW:

The Yes Dare is Kathleen Y’Barbo’s latest addition to her Pies, Books & Jesus Book Club series. In this delightful novel, Coco Sutton has been encouraged by her best friend to read a book called The Yes Dare. When she finally opens it, the book’s author encourages her to say yes to the first thing she is asked to do. That is how she becomes the new person in charge of the annual Cow Chip Toss Festival. Say what? Yes, Ms. Y’Barbo can certainly come up with some quirky characters as well as placing perfectly normal characters into outrageous situations. Such fun!

To make things even more difficult, Coco must spend way too much time with her ex-husband Ryan. Since his betrayal of their vows, it hurts too much to be around him and she has been unable to forgive him for his actions. Ryan has never loved anyone but Coco and is determined to win her back. With so many others working to get them back together, even their college student sons, how can anything go wrong?

I absolutely loved reading The Yes Dare. The plot moves quickly and is filled with plenty of twists, surprises, and humor but at the same time it manages to convey a strong faith filled message of forgiveness.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Have you ever wished for a second chance to fix something you’ve messed up or for the courage to say yes to something that just may change your life? Sometimes saying yes to the last thing you want can mean saying yes to exactly what you need.

Ryan “The Rocket” Sutton’s winning streak is legendary makes him the undisputed best quarterback in the NFL. However, thanks to one dumb mistake, he’s a failure as a husband to Coco, the only woman he’s ever loved. When a judge’s mistake in divorce paperwork means Coco is still his wife, Ryan makes up his mind to fix what he ruined. Ryan’s game plan doesn’t count on an internationally famous movie director’s camera crew following him as he competes for Coco’s love.

After spending most of her adult life as a football wife and mother to twin sons, fashionista Coco Sutton is learning how to be single and fabulous. Emphasis on Fabulous. The sports trophies, memorabilia, and heavy masculine wood furniture in the home she used to share with Ryan have been banished to the attic, and her home is now a cozy haven of plush candle-scented comfort. She’s got big plans that include owning a boutique or maybe an art gallery, but she never planned to take on the biggest challenge of her life: staying single. Then her best friend gives her a copy of a book called The Yes Dare, and all her plans are turned upside down.

From a Hollywood movie to the local spring event formerly known as the Cow Chip Toss Festival and a country crooner with a crush on Coco, will Ryan dodge the obstacles to win back the only woman he ever loved?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KATHLEEN Y’BARBO is a Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than one hundred books with two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, Texas A&M Association of Former Student and the Texas A&M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical Society, Novelists Inc., and American Christian Fiction Writers. She would also be a member of the Daughters of the American Republic, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and a few others if she would just remember to fill out the paperwork that Great Aunt Mary Beth has sent her more than once.

Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They make their home just north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and three very adorable Londoners.

To find out more about Kathleen or connect with her through social media, check out her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Night Watch by Susan Sleeman

by admin | Aug 25, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Night Watch by Susan Sleeman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

MY REVIEW:

Although I have not read the previous books in the Nighthawk Security series, Night Watch easily stood on its own. Now that I have read it, I am determined to make the time to read the rest of the series and learn more about the courageous Byrd brothers.

As the baby of the family, Erik Byrd takes a lot of flak from his brothers and endures plenty of match-making from his mother. When Kennedy Walker shows back up in town and in danger, he finds himself determined to protect her at all costs – even if she was the one to break his heart years earlier.

With its fast-moving plot, family secrets, and enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages, Night Watch was a riveting suspense that kept me engaged until the end. The interaction between characters was natural and I loved how the Byrd family jumped in to support Kennedy as she endeavored to prove that her mother had been murdered. Her loyalty to her sister was admirable and I was relieved when some difficult choices were resolved. Another second chance romance story, Night Watch has a strong faith message woven throughout its plot.

Night Watch is an excellent suspense novel and all fans of Christian suspense should add it to their reading list.

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:

Title: Night Watch

Series: Night Hawk Security #5

Author: Susan Sleeman

Publisher: Independently Published

Release Date: August 2021

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Everything points to suicide or accidental death…

Underwater crime scene investigator, Kennedy Walker is shocked when her mother dies and the police rule her death a suicide or an accidental overdose. Her scientist-mother was on the verge of a scientific breakthrough, and Kennedy knows her mother would never end her life, but the detective won’t listen. Kennedy moves back to her hometown and commits to finding her mother’s killer and finishing her work.

And she must prove them wrong.

Kennedy digs deeper, garnering the killer’s focus, and he puts her in his cross-hairs. She can’t give up on such an important project, so she swallows down her unease over the tumultuous breakup with Erik Byrd in college and hires Nighthawk Security, not only to protect her, but to help find her mother’s killer. It takes only one look for both of them to know their feelings for each other haven’t gone away. With so many people counting on her to complete the project, giving in to old feelings is a distraction neither she or Erik can afford, and they both need to keep watch. Especially in the darkest hours of the night, when the killer comes out to play.

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Sleeman is the bestselling author of over fifty novels with more than one 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, two terrific sons-in-law, and two adorable grandsons.

To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

(1) winner will receive the first four ebooks in the Nighthawk Security series!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 24, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Cold Case Double Cross By Jessica Patch

by admin | Aug 24, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Cold Case Double Cross is another page-turner from Jessica L. Patch. Its pages are filled with enough action and suspense to hold the attention of most readers until the very end.

Cash Ryland has convinced cold case investigator Mae Vogel to help him prove his brother’s innocence in a murder case. He believes his brother was wrongly convicted and hopes Mae can overlook their own past long enough to find the real killer. It doesn’t take very long for them to discover that someone does not want them to find the answers and their very lives are in danger.

As always, I enjoyed this latest offering from Patch that included a second chance romance blended into a riveting suspense along with a strong message of faith and forgiveness. I don’t remember ever reading a book that featured a character with dyslexia and I found his struggles with self-esteem due to his handicap to be enlightening. I love how this author manages to cram so much content into a limited number of pages.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

They’re on a cold trail
and running out of time.

Convinced his brother was wrongly convicted of murder years ago, detective Cash Ryland’s determined to find the real killer—even if it puts him in the crosshairs. But he needs help from cold case investigator Mae Vogel, whom he mistreated in high school. Can they put their past aside to solve the murder…before the killer succeeds in silencing them for good?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Cold Case Investigators

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Jessica R. Patch is known for her dry wit and signature twists. When she’s not hunched over her laptop, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by her favorite authors, watching movies with her family, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at www.jessicarpatch.com.

Lethal Cover Up by Darlene L. Turner

by admin | Aug 22, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

I read so very many books that I am uncertain whether I have read any by Darlene Turner in the past. After reading Lethal Cover-Up, this author is now on my radar and I will be keeping my eyes open for more of her books in the future.

Lethal Cover-Up was a wild ride from cover to cover with its pages filled with lots of action, danger, and suspense plus a few good and bad surprises along the way. How Madison and Tucker managed to work in a bit of romance is a mystery in itself.

In this highly charged suspense there are suspects aplenty and I confess to being only partially correct about the guilty parties. In my opinion, that is a mark of a great author because I have read so many suspense/mystery novels, that it is common for me to guess correctly early in the narrative.

Lethal Cover-Up is a great book with the perfect blend of suspense, romance, and faith. I highly recommend it.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Lethal Cover-Up

Author: Darlene L. Turner

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: July 27, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

Some secrets are dangerous…

But uncovering the truth could be deadly.

Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows her sister Leah’s fatal car crash was no accident. Someone’s willing to kill to cover up a pharmaceutical company’s deadly crime of distributing tainted drugs. Now they are after Madison to tie off loose ends. But with her high school sweetheart, Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, at her side, can Madison expose the company’s deadly plan before she becomes the next victim?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

MORE FROM DARLENE:

The Hidden Staircase, The Secret of the Old Clock, The Sign of the Twisted Candles—these were just some of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I couldn’t get enough of them growing up! My family often saw me with my nose stuck in one of Nancy’s many tales. When I was finished with those, I’d sneak my brother’s Hardy Boy books and devour them too. This is where my love of writing and of a good mystery/suspense began.

Creating stories in the romantic suspense genre was a natural journey for me. I had always wanted to be a policewoman after watching Charlie’s Angels (they even kicked butt while wearing high heels…what could be better than that?!), Cagney and Lacey, Police woman, Murder She Wrote, etc. My love for all-things-mystery carried into my adult life. Who doesn’t love Sydney Bristow and Kate Beckett?

I enjoy creating strong female characters in a law enforcement role. Madison Steele fits the bill head on as she works to bring down a ruthless pharmaceutical company. While she has nerves of steel, I also wanted to make her vulnerable. In the beginning Madison loses her long-lost sister in a heart-wrenching crash. One she knows was not an accident. This thrusts her into a deadly pursuit of the perpetrators with her estranged high school sweetheart, Tucker Reed, by her side.

I wrote this book during the tough year our world faced living in the unknown. Madison and Tucker are stuck in their own fears but eventually find hope. Hope in the unknown and hope in knowing God is in control and with us—no matter the circumstances. We just need to know where to look.

I hope you enjoy reading Madison and Tucker’s story as much as I loved crafting it. I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me through my website www.darlenelturner.com and also sign up for Darlene’s Diary newsletter to receive exclusive subscriber giveaways.