MY REVIEW:

What more could a suspense lover ask for than a book that includes a creepy old house known around town as haunted, suspicious and sometimes threatening activity at the house, and the discovery of bones in the basement? Under An Indigo Moon has all of the above as well as a small town whose residents rally behind a divorced mom who seems to have bit off more than she can chew, and a budding romance between that mom and a deputy who seems to have a knack for being there for her when needed.

New to me author JL Crosswhite has moved onto my must read list with her engaging characters, vivid imagery, and a plot that held my interest to the very end. I will be reading more by this author.

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: Under an Indigo Moon Author: JL Crosswhite Genre: Romantic Suspense Release date: December 28, 2022 Click here to get your copy!

It was supposed to be a fresh start for her…

…He’d never expected to find love again.

Will they find a second chance or will small-town secrets spell disaster?

Former big-city architect and single mom, Carissa Carver, found just enough to hope to begin a new life with her boys in Holcomb Springs. She dropped all her savings into a vacant Victorian in an online auction, hoping to flip it and build a better life.

However, it didn’t take long to learn nothing was as promised, including a chocolate Lab that came with the house, who adopted her son with Asperger’s. Could her boys handle being uprooted one more time?

But when things go missing, her house is vandalized, and she finds human bones in the basement, she wonders what she’s really gotten them into. Is this one more bad decision or something truly dangerous?

Deputy Jonas McCann came to Holcomb Springs to heal after the death of his wife and daughter. The last thing he needs is matchmaking by the meddling librarian, even if Carissa and her boys stir something long dormant in his heart.

As more strange things happen, he is drawn further into his desire to protect her and the boys he’s come to have a heart for. Can he solve the mystery before they get hurt? Does it have anything to do with the missing teenager? Or are those just ghost stories and small-town rumors? Especially the ones about the indigo blue moon.

Author JL Crosswhite will have you on the edge of your seat, unable to turn pages fast enough.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JL Crosswhite‘s favorite thing is discovering how much there is to love about America the Beautiful and the great outdoors. She’s an Amazon bestselling author, a mom to two navigating the young adult years while battling her daughter’s juvenile arthritis, exploring the delights of her son’s autism, and keeping gluten free. Learn more about her adventures and how she gets inspired for her books at JLCrosswhite.com

MORE FROM JL CROSSWHITE:

It may surprise you, but I actually started writing Under an Indigo Moon about fourteen years ago (my books can germinate for a long time!). It started out as a women’s fiction book called Under the Blueberry Sky. It even finaled in the Frasier contest for first chapters in 2011.

But as I began planning the Holcomb Springs series, I knew I wanted to tell Carissa and Jonas’s story. While there are parts of me in all of my characters, Carissa has a unique place in my heart as the mom of a special needs kid. Her six-year-old son, Jayden, is based a lot on my experiences with my son who’s on the autism spectrum.

Because I had written much of the early part of the book a long time ago when I was closer to those long and difficult days, re-reading and writing those scenes took me back. My son is a young adult now, and I was amazed at how much I had forgotten about the day-to-day challenges of living with someone who sees the world so differently. And now I can look back and see how far he has come.

Jonas McCann was a bit of a mystery to me. Because my original envisioning of this book was as women’s fiction, there wasn’t a romance thread. So I had to create one. I’m fortunate to have law enforcement officers in my family to draw from. But as I got to know Jonas, he became as beloved to me as all of my characters (They feel like my children; I can’t pick a favorite!).

One of the highest compliments I received was from a book-coaching client (my day job) who read Beneath a Star-Lit Sky, the first book in the Holcomb Springs series. Her husband is a small-town sheriff, and she felt I really captured the role. That meant a lot to me. Even though I write fiction, I want my characters to feel like real people with real problems and challenges.

Under an Indigo Moon takes place in a fictional world—Holcomb Springs—that already has a lot of threads and tie ins. It’s book 2 in the Holcomb Springs Small Town Romantic Suspense series, but it ties in with the two previous series I’ve written—Hometown Heroes and In the Shadow. I don’t know about you, but I love seeing characters from previous books pop up again in later books.

You can certainly enjoy the book without knowing about all the “Easter eggs” hidden inside, but isn’t it more fun to be in on the jokes? So make sure you grab Claire and Alex’s story in Inn at Cherry Blossom Lane (grab it here for free) and the short story that introduces us to the Holcomb Springs group in “An Evening to Remember” (grab it here). There are clues in the story that play out in the book.

I hope you enjoy Jonas and Carissa’s journey as much as I enjoyed writing it—a story of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

BLOG STOPS:

Book Looks by Lisa, April 13

Lily’s Book Reviews, April 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 15

For Him and My Family, April 15

Blogging With Carol, April 16

The Sacred Line, April 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 18

Betti Mace, April 19

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 19

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, J.L. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

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/25496/under-an-indigo-moon-celebration-tour-giveaway

MY REVIEW:

Engaging Deception is a delightful story that had me laughing out loud frequently as I read it. The heroine, Olive Kentworth absolutely loves architecture and has learned quite a bit about it through reading. Turns out that although self-taught, she is very talented at designing homes. Unfortunately society is not yet ready for women architects. Her solution is to design homes while her cousin implements the plans for her and also takes all the credit for them.

Maxfield Scott is the award winning architect who Olive most admires. When she finds herself acting as nanny to his children, she is thrilled to have access to his extensive library. Maxfield soon discovers that he is drawn to his home when Olive is there. Could this be a romance in the making?

Several hilarious scenes are in store as two prominent men compete to have the biggest, most elaborate house in town and Maxfield is baffled at how the seemingly inept contractor can possibly be responsible for the designs.

Loved this story but I will leave further details to the reader. I will say they will not be disappointed at the outcome.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A lively competition draws her into her rival’s blueprints–and maybe even his heart.

Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it’s only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny–not knowing that she’ll be working for her idol, Joplin’s leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.

Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny–she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What’s worse, Maxfield’s current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder’s work.

As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive’s involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?

Read an excerpt here.

Purchase a copy here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Regina Jennings (www.reginajennings.com) is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She’s the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

MY REVIEW:

I can remember a time when books published by Harlequin were looked down upon as inferior. In my opinion, those days are over, at least when you get hold of one as expertly crafted as those by Dana Mentink. Despite their shorter format, this author manages to cram a surprising amount of content and well designed plot into one volume.

Targeted in the Desert is an emotionally driven story that features an young woman abandoned at birth who has just learned that she has a much younger sister who is in need of her protection. It’s not long before she realizes that someone wants the child dead and Felicia is determined to prevent it at all costs, even if it means working with former boyfriend Jude Duke to do so.

The final installment of the six book Desert Justice series, Targeted in the Desert is the perfect end to the series. Once again a member of the Duke family is faced with a high stakes, life or death situation against the backdrop of Death Valley. Other members of the family make brief appearances in the pages filled with danger, action, and suspense. A surprise ending is the icing on the cake and readers will close the covers with satisfaction of a book well done. And as I’ve come to expect, a dog with a personality of its own is another special character.

If you are not acquainted with books by this author, make it a point to read this series if you can.

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: Targeted in the Desert Author: Dana Mentink Genre: Romantic Suspense Release date: March 28, 2023 Click here to get your copy!

Family secrets have Felicia Tennison, and the sister she never knew existed, on the run. Someone is after them, and Felicia will have to turn to someone she never wanted to see again for help—her ex. Sheriff Jude Duke vows to protect them as they race to uncover why the little girl is a target. But the search to find the answers could cost them their futures.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dana Mentink is a USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than forty mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at www.danamentink.com to sign up for her newsletter, or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Bookbub

MORE FROM DANA:

At last! We’ve arrived at the final book in the Desert Justice series! It seems like just yesterday I was finishing book one, about cousin Beckett Duke who was falsely imprisoned. Then we met cowboy Levi and his twin Willow, dog lover Austin, donkey rescuer Nora and FINALLY sheriff Jude Duke gets his story! I am a fan of a hero with some miles under his belt, aren’t you? Could it be because I’ve got more than a few under mine? Ending this series is bittersweet because I am thrilled that the Dukes all received their happy endings, but I’ll miss writing about their adventures in Death Valley. Hope you’ll come along on my next series. (Could be there are bloodhounds in our fictional future!)

God bless!

BLOG STOPS:

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 5

Daysong Reflections, April 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 5

Bigreadersite, April 6

Splashes of Joy, April 6

Blossoms and Blessings, April 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 7

Pause for Tales, April 8

EmpowerMoms, April 8

Labor Not in Vain, April 9

Book Looks by Lisa, April 9

For the Love of Literature, April 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 11

Through the Fire Blogs, April 11

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

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/25254/targeted-in-the-desert-celebration-tour-giveaway

Welcome to the Reviewer Tour for Yosemite Firestorm by Tanya Stowe hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

MY REVIEW:

I will admit right up front that I do not like fires. Considering that we have heated our home with a wood-burning stove for nearly fifty years, that may seem a bit strange but I have never been one hundred percent comfortable with it. For those reasons, Yosemite Firestorm was particularly suspenseful for me.

The well written narrative included excellent characterization and vivid descriptions of Yosemite. Featuring a park ranger and a former champion climber, the story hits the ground running and barely stops for a breath until the very end. It has enough danger, action, mystery, and suspense to satisfy even the most avid suspense junkie. An unexpected romance and a strong dose of faith top it off to make a satisfying evening read by the fire.

I enjoyed Yosemite Firestorm despite its focus on fire and will certainly plan to read more books by this author.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tanya Stowe is a Christian Fiction author with an unexpected edge. She is a Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author who fills her books with the unusual…mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a train down a mountain or a suspenseful journey packed with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.