Out of the Night by Susan May Warren

by | Jul 31, 2022 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

For those readers who enjoyed the Montana Marshalls series by Susan May Warren but were left wanting more of RJ & York’s story, the new The Epic Story of RJ and York series is what you’ve been waiting for. For those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading the aforementioned series, I think you would enjoy this one also but I would recommend reading the Montana Marshalls first and/or perhaps the Global Search and Rescue series too. Or not! Even without the background story, this is the perfect book for those who enjoy lots of intrigue, suspense, danger, and action with a little romance and faith thrown in for good measure. 

What begins as a romantic trip to Paris for York and RJ does not turn out at all as expected. Their plans are quickly interrupted by a man they believed to be in prison and their lives quickly went awry and from bad to worse. This action packed tale had me turning the pages and wondering what else could possibly happen. If you’ve read anything by this author, you know that there is no end to the trauma to which her characters might be subjected.

Out of the Night not only continued RJ and York’s story but as I’ve come to expect from this author, familiar characters from her other books popped in from time to time. Of course as the first of three in this series,  readers can expect this one to be a cliffhanger. I guarantee that when you reach the end you will be eager for the next installment. 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Will he ever outrun trouble?

All former spy and current national security agent York Newhouse wants is to propose to the woman he loves, RJ Marshall. Then they can move to Shelly, Montana, and start the calm, safe life he’s been dreaming of for over a year.

Too bad trouble doesn’t agree…

Or maybe RJ simply attracts trouble because she’s just going out for coffee when she spots a wanted, known terrorist standing in the middle of a street in Paris. At least she thinks it’s international criminal Alan Martin, the mastermind behind a plot to kill the president.

But he’s in jail, right?

Wrong. Martin has escaped, and it’s up to RJ—and York—to keep him in their sights until he can be apprehended. But chasing down Martin means following him into the darkness of whatever plot he’s cooked up now.

So much for York’s epic proposal. Now, he just wants to escape Europe with their lives.

The romantic trilogy ignites in book of the Epic Story of RJ and York!

Continue the adventure!
Book 1: Out of the Night
Book 2: I Will Find You
Book 3: No Matter the Cost

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 85 novels with more than 1 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and the Montana Rescue series, as well as Sunrise and Sunburst. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota. Find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook @SusanMayWarrenFiction, and on Twitter @SusanMayWarren.

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden

by | Jul 31, 2022 | Books

MY REVIEW:

Written on the Wind is yet another fine example of why I love books by Elizabeth Camden. Her characters are fully developed and usually people I would enjoy getting to know. Her stories are woven around sometimes obscure historical facts that enrich my knowledge while also entertaining me. 

In Written on the Wind, the primary characters are from totally different parts of the world but have formed a unique friendship through their business communications. Dimitri, a Russian aristocrat, is involved with overseeing the construction of the Trans-Siberian railroad. Natalia is the daughter of a wealthy businessman and is allowed to work in his business against common practice. When all communication with Dimitri stops suddenly, Natalia becomes concerned and takes it upon herself to find him. Thus begins a dangerous adventure that extends across continents as they attempt to reveal the truth without destroying everything.

This wonderful book held my full attention until the very end. I enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to reading more by this talented author.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

He carries a dangerous secret, but can he survive long enough to expose it?

Count Dimitri Sokolov has been charged with overseeing construction of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, but during this work, he witnesses an appalling crime, the truth of which threatens the Russian monarchy. In an effort to silence him, the czar has stripped Dimitri of his title, his lands, and his freedom . . . but Dimitri has one asset the czar knows nothing about: his deep and abiding friendship with Natalia Blackstone. 

Natalia is the lead analyst for her father’s New York banking empire and manages their investment in the Trans-Siberian Railway. Her bond with Dimitri has flourished despite the miles between them, but when Dimitri goes unexpectedly missing, she sets the wheels in motion to find him. Once they join forces, they embark on a dangerous quest in which one wrong move could destroy them both.  

From the steppes of Russia to the corridors of power in Washington, Dimitri and Natalia will fight against all odds to save the railroad while exposing the truth. Can their newfound love survive the ordeal? 

Read an excerpt here.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Camden (www.elizabethcamden.com) is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America, featuring clever heroines and richly layered story lines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Awards and have appeared on the CBA bestsellers list. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.

The Vow by D.L. Wood (Winter Deceptions: A Collection of Christian Suspense Novellas)

by | Jul 23, 2022 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Novella Collection, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

I have read and enjoyed several books by D. L. Wood so when the author requested reviewers to join her launch team for The Vow, I quickly responded. As a novella, the book is somewhat shorter than a full length novel but it is definitely not lacking in suspense. I read the story in one sitting because it grabbed my attention and I HAD to know what would happen. As in all good novels of this genre, the suspense grew gradually with several twists as well as more than one possibility for the responsible person who continued to torment Kate. All I can say is that I never guessed the culprit before their revelation. Wow!

If the collection, Winter Deceptions is of the same quality as The Vow, suspense fans have a real treat in store. I plan to preorder asap.

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:

?Kate’s husband left her a year ago, ending their marriage without warning. Now she’s spending one last Christmas at her famiy’s mountain cabin before selling it to raise cash. But when nostalgia moves her to keep the place, things quickly turn sinister, suggesting all is not what it seems. Will Kate be able to uncover what’s really going on before the danger finally closes in?

Preorder a copy here.

Learn more at https://winterdeceptions.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

D.L. Wood is a USA TODAY bestselling author of thrilling suspense laced with romance and faith. Her books have won multiple awards and her novel Unintended Target was selected as the May 2019 American Christian Fiction Writers Book Club book. She is an Amazon bestselling author of Christian Mystery & Suspense and millions of pages of her books have been read through Kindle Unlimited. In her previous career she was a practicing attorney, but is now having much more fun as a writer and is simply happy to lend that legal experience to her novels as needed.

D.L. writes CleanCaptivatingFiction™ that entertains AND uplifts. In her novels, she tries to give readers the same thing she wants:  a “can’t-put-it-down-stay-up-till-3am” character-driven story, full of heart, believability and adrenaline.

An avid reader herself, she started the CleanCaptivatingFiction™ Booklist because she wanted to enjoy more fiction that was not only entertaining but good for the soul. The best thing for her soul has been Jesus Christ and, hopefully, her stories in some small way cast a light on the peace to be found in him.

D.L. lives in North Alabama, where, if she isn’t writing, you’ll probably catch her curled up with a cup of Earl Grey (light milk, one sugar) and her Westies – Frodo and Dobby – bingeing on the latest BBC mystery series. Speaking of which, if you have a BBC mystery/detective series to recommend, please email her because she’s nearly exhausted the ones she knows about. She loves to hear from readers and you can reach her through the “Contact” button on this site.

Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd

by | Jul 4, 2022 | Books, Split Time, Women's Fiction

MY REVIEW:

Heirlooms is a touching, multifaceted tale of family and friends that crosses the generations. I loved this wonderful story that focused primarily on two widows who shared a home and became more than friends. It was a delightful yet sometimes poignant read laced with many of my favorite things such as flowers, cooking, and sewing.

As the story transpired, it brought so many memories of my own family to the forefront and I recognized the wealth of heirlooms that surrounds me every day including a number of plants and flowers that have been passed down from my mother and grandmothers as well as my husband’s mother and grandmother.

The plot is dual time and tells the story of Helen and Eunhee alternately with present time narrative of granddaughters Cassidy and Grace Kim. Secrets of the past come to light as Cassidy and Grace Kim go through Helen’s belongings after her death. What they find is a friendship stronger than blood and a heritage of faith and strength.

Heirlooms is a not to be missed book. Please do yourself a favor and pick up your own copy as soon as possible.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Answering a woman’s desperate call for help, young Navy widow Helen Devries opens her Whidbey Island home as a refuge to Choi Eunhee. As they bond over common losses and a delicate, potentially devastating secret, their friendship spans the remainder of their lives.

After losing her mother, Cassidy Quinn spent her childhood summers with her gran, Helen, at her farmhouse. Nourished by her grandmother’s love and encouragement, Cassidy discovers a passion that she hopes will bloom into a career. But after Helen passes, Cassidy learns that her home and garden have fallen into serious disrepair. Worse, a looming tax debt threatens her inheritance. Facing the loss of her legacy and in need of allies and ideas, Cassidy reaches out to Nick, her former love, despite the complicated emotions brought by having him back in her life.

Cassidy inherits not only the family home but a task, spoken with her grandmother’s final breaths: ask Grace Kim—Eunhee’s granddaughter—to help sort through the contents of the locked hope chest in the attic. As she and Grace dig into the past, they unearth their grandmothers’ long-held secret and more. Each startling revelation reshapes their understanding of their grandmothers and ultimately inspires the courage to take risks and make changes to own their lives.

Set in both modern-day and midcentury Whidbey Island, Washington, this dual-narrative story of four women—grandmothers and granddaughters—intertwines across generations to explore the secrets we keep, the love we pass down, and the heirlooms we inherit from a well-lived life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sandra Byrd has published four dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including her two historical series with Howard Books. For nearly two decades, Sandra has shared her secrets with the many writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington area.