The Girl from the Hidden Forest

 

Description

Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.

 

That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.

 

When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Manor and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?

 

As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?

Review

Eerie and full of chills, The Girl from the Hidden Forest is Gothic Regency writing at its best. There were more twists and turns to the plot than the pathway to Eliza's hidden forest home. One minute you think one individual is the killer, but in the next chapter, someone else looks mighty suspicious...and then soon enough, that first suspect, well, they look guilty all over again! Hannah Linder has done an adept job at keeping the reader guessing until the final few pages. This is an excellent mystery bracketed by a slow-burn romance. Loved every word and will definitely be checking out more books by this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for a copy of this ARC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

While the City Sleeps

 

Description

Katherine Schneider's workaday life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar.

Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her. And throughout it all, Jonathan fears what will happen should Katherine ever learn his deepest secrets.

Review

This was another winning book by Elizabeth Camden. Whenever I see her name on a new release, I don't hesitate to pick up the book to enjoy! 

The author picked a very interesting setting for While the City Sleeps. Steeped in fascinating historical details about the "Painless Parker" dentistry, the nightlife of New York city in 1913, and the beginnings of the city's bomb squad - this story was such a treat to read! 

I loved Katherine's spunk and Jonathan's courage. Their relationship unfolds through a wild adventure with a whole lot of danger involving gangs, hitmen, bombs, and...laughing gas (ha!). 

A very enjoyable read, and I can't wait for the next book in this new series!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

The Secrets Beneath

 

Back Cover

Some secrets can only stay buried for so long...

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at ever dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and an old beau returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn't erased the feelings they've always had for each other. After Joshua's nephew goes missing - just like his sister did years ago - and Anna's job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.

Review

The Secrets Beneath was a bit of a surprise. I've read historicals by Kimberley Woodhouse before and really enjoyed how she brings an intriguing part of history to life in a very unique way. And in this novel, it was super fun to dive into the "Bone Wars" era (something I'd never heard of before!). Paleontology is something that's always fascinated me so I enjoyed exploring that a bit in The Secrets Beneath.

I enjoy historicals with a twist, and throwing in a mysterious crime angle certainly made this story unique. What I was bit surprised about was how DARK it turned the story. It was like unwittingly diving into a Criminal Minds episode, and I found myself flipping over pages that were in the villain's point of view. The villain was so downright creepy and disturbed, and I didn't like those parts at all. It was almost as if it didn't fit in with the story, but I suppose you don't usually read a Christian historical with some psychotic person in them!

In the end, The Secrets Beneath left me with some mixed emotions. The main character, Anna, was a bit difficult to like at first, but Joshua was sweetheart, and I did enjoy the rekindling of their romance. I'm really intrigued on the direction of this new series and hope the subsequent books don't have the same dark undertones...we shall see! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

In the Shadow of the River

Back Cover

In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother, and Jacci gets a first taste for the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard that same showboat and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life - and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past - is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows...and the answers she craves will not come easily.

Review

I've been a huge fan of this author for a very long time. Ann H. Gabhart is a talented author and delivers unique and heartfelt stories. I've always enjoyed her detailed historical dramas and realistic characters. In the Shadow of the River is an interesting tale full of secrets and drama in a fascinating historical setting. I so enjoyed the colourful cast of characters and the budding romance between innocent Jacci and the gallant Gabe. 

The only hiccup I came across was the rather long prelude into Jacci's earlier life. The attempted kidnapping and moving onto the showboat, while only a very brief moment in time, lasted 100 pages and was the source of a lot of information dumping. It slowed down the pace of the story, and I couldn't help but wonder if a more brief prologue or simple chapter would have been sufficient for the purposes of the story. I understand wanting to set the scene and lay some historical groundwork, but I found myself getting impatient to move ahead to the main time period in the story. 

Overall, this was still an intriguing historical read. I loved the glimpses into the showboat lifestyle as it was a world I'd never actually heard of before. It reminded me a bit of a circus, full of talented, eccentric performers. In the Shadow of the River delivers a very satisfying conclusion, and I enjoyed my stop at this point in history.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

The Metropolitan Affair

 

Back Cover

For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a change to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

Review

The Metropolitan Affair is Jocelyn Green at her finest. Rich in historical detail and intrigue, I was swept along with Lauren in a world obsessed with all things Egypt. Growing up, I had my own fascination with the ancient Egyptian culture, so it was a real treat to read a novel that highlighted that colourful time in history.

But while the backdrop glittered in gold and gems, it was the characters that shined above it all. The complicated relationship between Lauren and her father and the budding romance between her and Joe provided no small amount of tension to the story. I loved the thread of faith woven through the pages and how Lauren learns that her relationship with her Heavenly Father is the most important one of all.

The mysteries and secrets throughout the story were the icing on the cake. The Metropolitan Affair was an enthralling read, and one that I'll definitely revisit again!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

A Deep Divide

 

Back Cover

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can't let go of the deep-rooted fear that he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

Review

This was a lovely novel to kick off a new series, "Secrets of the Canyon" by Kimberley Woodhouse. I absolutely loved the setting of the majestic Grand Canyon. Ms. Woodhouse' descriptions painted vivid pictures in my mind and made me wish on more than one occasion that I could experience the amazing scenery in person!

A Deep Divide was an easy read with very likeable characters. My favourite aspect of the book was the strong faith element and deep spiritual growth of Emma Grace. She faces down her battle with fear with many verses from the Bible, particularly leaning on, "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears". What a beautiful promise to be reminded of (and very timely in today's crazy world) that no matter what trial we are facing or fear we are experiencing, our Savior will surely deliver us!

I really enjoyed this novel and will be looking forward reading subsequent books this series!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Lights Out

 

Back Cover

CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.

Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn't at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It's hard to trust a women who's already betrayed you.

Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning - the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.

Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn't trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world - and their hearts - hangs in the balance.

Review

Oh. My. Goodness. If you read any book this year, Lights Out has to be the one. It is SO good! It's literally jam-packed with edge-of-your-seat action following an intricate plot that keeps you guessing on how all the pieces are going to fit together. It is also a story that appears incredibly plausible given how much our world relies upon technology. From communications, banking, work, travel, housing, etc., many aspects of our lives are connected and maintained through the use of technology. Chaos would ensue should any of those systems go down. And Natalie Walters imagines what that could possibly look like in Lights Out.

The character choices and development are perfect for the story. I loved the unique personalities of each member of the SNAP Agency (along with the heroine, Brynn, of course) and look forward to getting to know each one better in future novels in this series.

Smartly-executed, Lights Out takes readers on a thrill ride they won't soon forget!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Never Miss

 

Back Cover

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile's life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him and his incendiary research, which indicates that the Ebola virus is man-made and about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. When their warnings fall on deaf ears, it becomes increasingly clear that there's no one they can trust - except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

Review

Never Miss reads like a summer blockbuster film: full of non-stop action and adventure that hardly allows you to catch a breath in between each explosive event. The subject matter creates a suspenseful and believable storyline given the fact that with today's advancements in technology and science, anything could happen! 

I could tell that the author is keen on details, and I appreciated every facet of her research that shone through her scenes of epic hand-to-hand combat and sniper shots. Punctuating those scenes were complex characters that you couldn't help but root for. I think this is the first book I've read whereby the heroine's pet cat enjoys just as much "screen time" as the two main protagonists - and I loved it! 

Never Miss is a great read for anyone who enjoys fiction with a punch!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Paint and Nectar

 

Back Cover

In 1929, a spark forms between Eliza, a talented watercolorist, and William, a charming young man with a secret that could ruin her career. Their families forbid their romance because of a long-standing feud over missing heirloom silver. Still, Eliza and William's passion grows despite the barriers, causing William to deeply regret the secret he's keeping...but setting things right will come at a cost.

In present-day Charleston, a mysterious benefactor gifts Lucy Legare an old house, along with all the secrets it holds - including enigmatic letters about an antique silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney, whom Lucy's been avoiding since their disastrous first date, is set on buying her house for his family's development company. As Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, its garden, and the silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history's sake but also for her own.

Review

Paint and Nectar is a beautifully written time-slip novel with several stories artfully woven together. I loved the little mysteries, the peeling back of layers of timelines and secrets to the answers within. It reminded me a little of the Nancy Drew mysteries whereby the heroine discovers the truth one little clue at a time, creating many delightful "Aha!" moments. I didn't realize at first that Paint and Nectar was book two in the "Heirloom Secrets" series, but not having read the first novel, The Dress Shop on King Street, didn't detract from my full enjoyment of this story. Ashley Clark has crafted a wonderful historical romance with strong themes of faith and restoration that has easily become one of my favourite reads of 2021. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

A Lady in Attendance

 

Back Cover

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name.  So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watt's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias.  In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye.  Can the questions that look between them ever be answered? Or will the deed of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man and a hardened woman, as well as the friends who stand by them, as they work toward a common purpose - to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving - and perhaps find love along the way.

Review

This is the first book I've read of Rachel Fordham's, but it won't be my last! She has penned a tender tale of redemption and love in the lives of the out-going Hazel and shy Gilbert. What really struck me the most about their relationship was how very respectful they acted towards one another - something that I find sorely lacking in society. It was refreshing reading their interactions and how they always strove to put the other ahead of themselves. 

The other surprising element for me was the suspense and intrigue! I thought this was going to be a sweet historical romance, but it is so much more. For a large chunk of the back end of the book, it is quite the wild ride of danger and mystery that really spiced up the story in a fantastic way.

Finishing the story made me want more, so you can be sure I'll be checking out other published works by Ms. Fordham!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Night Fall

 

Back Cover

For any little boy or girl who hears the Train Man speak,

Who feels his rancid breath caress their pretty cheek,

Must close their eyes, pretend to sleep, and very softly pray,

Or else the evil Train Man may carry them away.

Finally free of her troubled upbringing, Alex Donovan is able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, authorities in Missouri contact them about bodies found on freight trains - all killed in the same way.

Alex never expected to be forced to confront her past in this new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars.  When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

In a race against time to solve4 the case and recover a deadly virus sample the killer intends to spread, Alex must face how far she'll go - and what she's willing to risk - to put a stop to the Train Man.

Review

Night Fall is...certifiably creepy. I was super excited for a new Christian crime novel - a chance to cheer on the good guys while they chase down the bad ones while also showing growth in faith. But I struggled with this one. I had picked up this book many times to start it, but had to put it back down for something different as I couldn't get past the first few pages. While I'm a huge fan of suspense novels, this one set me on edge, and not in a thrill-seeking way. By diving in deep into the depraved Train Man's mind, you learn more of his story of growing up in a perverted cult and having absolutely terrible parents. It creates somewhat of an understanding of how he came to be, but the double-edged sword is that you have to read through a whole lot of darkness to get to that point. This certainly isn't a lighter police procedural drama like "Castle", but a dark and twisted ride without a whole lot of light at the end of the tunnel. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Unknown Threat

 

Back Cover

US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive.  Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks.  Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He and his team are experts at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.

FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her ability to solve every case she's assigned.  She's been put in charge of the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke's life in danger, the stakes have never been higher.  But it's hard to know how to fight back when you don't know who the enemy is.

Luke has teamed up with Faith before, but he's not convinced she's up for the job and she's not convinced he's telling her everything he knows. As more agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to learn tot rust each other and work together to bring a killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining  their fallen brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.

Review

Unknown Threat is a fast-paced thrill ride that doesn't let up until the final page. It was an intriguing look into the world of Secret Service Agents, and I never knew they had such a wide scope of duties! 

The author did a brilliant job of crafting a suspenseful story where it felt no one was safe from the assassin.  My only wish would be that there were a few more clues, or bread crumbs, along the way to hint at the ending. I felt like there was such a huge reveal at the climax that required a lot of explanation into the "who, what, why". Other than that, what a smashing start to the new "Defend and Protect" series for Lynn H. Blackburn.  I became a huge fan of hers with her "Dive Team Investigations" series and was pleasantly surprised over the inclusion of a few characters from that series in Unknown Threat. 

Looking forward to the second book in this series!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

Acceptable Risk

 

Back Cover

For one journalist, the story of a lifetime is hitting too close to home.

Sarah Denning is a military journalist with the Army in the Middle East when she is taken hostage.  When former Army Ranger Gavin Black is asked by his old unit commander - Sarah's imposing father - to plan an extremely risky rescue, he reluctantly agrees and successfully executes it.

Back in the US, Sarah is livid when she's discharged on a false psychiatric evaluation and vows to return to the Army.  Until she learns of her brother's suicide.  Unable to believe her brother would do such a thing, she puts her plans on hold and enlists Gavin to help her discover the truth.  What they uncover may be the biggest story of Sarah's career - if she can survive long enough to write it.

Review

Acceptable Risk is another fast-paced suspense novel by veteran author, Lynette Eason.  Nearly every chapter had an explosive scene that built the tension to a final, nail-biting climax.  The complexity of Sarah Denning's character and back story enhanced the suspense as she not only was dealing with threats on her own life and coming to terms with her brother's suicide, but also working through her broken relationship with her father, a man, who through the majority of her life, seemingly wanted nothing to do with her.  The fractured pieces of her story were a lot to unpack in a single novel, but the author rose up to this task quite admirably.  While the story motored along with the speed of a racing Corvette, the character growth and development moved at a believable tempo.  

It is important to note that it is a suspense novel and it does deal with the difficult subject matter of suicide.  It can make for a dark story which can make it difficult to read at times.  I wouldn't say Acceptable Risk is one of my most enjoyable, relaxing reads, but it is still a well-written novel with an complex mystery.  I'm interested to see what is next in the Danger Never Sleeps series as book three is set to come out soon!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus

About

Welcome to Bonaventure Circus,

where misfits go to hide.

In 1928, the Bonaventure Circus has become a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby and is no longer content to leave the reason for that rejection unquestioned. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the "Watchman," she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa's search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.

Decades later, an old circus train depot's future hangs in the balance--it will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its fate rests on Realtor Chandler Faulk's shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot's history, she's also balancing a newly diagnosed disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend. 

Review

Jaime Jo Wright has done it again!  The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus is another creepy thrill ride certain to keep your eyes glued to the pages whilst huddled in a safe place in your home (preferably with an e-reader under the covers...).  With a clever plot straddling two timelines held together by in-depth characters, this is a story that will not soon be forgotten.  I greatly enjoyed Jaime Jo Wright's style of writing as she infused enough "teasers" and twists through the novel to keep you guessing until the very end.  And, at the end, when things are most climatic in both timelines, the point of view switches back and forth rapidly between timelines for back-to-back cliffhanger moments, rendering it near impossible to put the book down.  Jaime Jo Wright has quickly become one of my favourite authors, and I look forward to each new release with great expectations.  Suspense and mystery lovers will LOVE The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus for its keep-you-guessing plot and unique story-telling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book to read and provide my true and honest opinion thereof.

More Than We Remember

Back Cover

One night changes everything...

When Addison Kilbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart.  With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.

Emilia Cruz is a deputy bearing a heavy burden far beyond the weight of her job.  After a traumatic brain injury, her husband is no longer the man she married, and Emilia's determined to prevent others from facing the same hardship.  When she's called to the scene of an accident pointing to everything she's fighting against, she's determined to see justice for those wronged.

Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality.  She once thrived as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose.  When her neighbors, the Kilbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been for too long.  

As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been.  Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?

Review

Wow.  What an incredible book!  Christina Suzann Nelson has penned an emotionally charged inspirational story supported by a complex and engaging set of characters.  I don't say this very often, but the characters in this story were written in such a way that they seemed very real  as they navigate a myriad of difficult real-life situations, including family trauma, relationship struggles, and spiritual doubts.  Each character deals with her "Job" moments in different ways, ranging from "running away", standing up and fighting, or protecting others facing similar situations.  More Than We Remember peels back the layers and depths of human emotion in crisis, leaving the cast of characters raw, humble, and relatable to the reader's eyes.  I felt the characters' pain and inwardly cheered them on in their struggles.  

The storyline itself was incredibly engaging with the constant unveiling of secrets and plot line twists.  It was SO difficult to put this story down - so much so that my husband teased me on more than one occasion about my nose being buried in the book again?!  

More Than We Remember is a story I will not soon forget. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

The Killing Tide

Back Cover

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet.  His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer's boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

The already volatile situation is complicated even further by the arrival of Gabby Rowley - Finn's boss's sister and an investigative reporter with unrelenting questions about the crime.  Now that she's returned, the tug on Finn's heart is strong, but with the risks she's taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can't ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them.  But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

Review

Dani Pettrey has crafted a fast-paced, keep-you-guessing story with The Killing Tide, Book One in her new series, "Coastal Guardians".  Suspense is the theme in the book, starting from the very first page as the reader jumps right into the middle of a coast guard rescue mission.  The tension doesn't let up as a winding mystery unfolds in the following chapters and more than one character meets their unfortunate end. Dani doesn't pull back any punches as she guides the reader into a web of intrigue, murder, and mayhem.  Of course, there is the (much needed!) smattering of romance to provide a little balance to the thrill ride.  With such an explosive start to her new series, I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Living Lies

Back Cover

In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name - but no one knows your secret.

At least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son.  Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope.  What she finds instead is a dead body.

Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder.  But when that truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.

Review

What a great first novel in a new series, "Harbored Secrets"!  Complemented by a wonderful, and very likeable, cast of characters, Living Lies is a suspenseful mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.  Natalie Waters has crafted a story combining all my favourite elements: suspense, mystery, and romance.  She does an excellent job at keeping the "who" and "why" under wraps until the climax, making it difficult to put the book down!  

One of the other central themes to this novel is what society often considers a "taboo" topic: depression.  Depression is very real and affects more people that one would realize.  It is more than likely that everyone knows someone who has struggled with depression.  Natalie Waters handled the topic very tactfully, and gave a strong emphasis on how much we need to be there for our friends and loved ones, be an example of Jesus love through thick and thin.  

With such a great start to a new series, I'm super excited to know that the second book is coming out very soon - November 2019!  Some fall/winter reading to look forward to!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair

Back Cover

Left at an orphanage as a child, Thea Reed vowed to find her mother someday.  Now grown, her search takes her to turn-of-the-century Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin.  When the clues she finds lead her to a mental asylum, Thea uses her experience as a postmortem photographer to gain access and assist groundskeeper Simeon Coyle in photographing the patients and uncovering the secrets within.  However, she never expected her personal quest would reawaken the legend of Misty Wayfair, a murdered woman who allegedly haunts the area and whose appearance portends death.

 

A century later, Heidi Lane receives a troubling letter from her mother - who is battling dementia - compelling her to travel to Pleasant Valley for answers to her own questions of identity.  When she catches sight of a ghostly woman haunting the asylum ruins in the woods, the long-standing story of Misty Wayfair returns - and with it, Heidi's fear for her own life.

 

As two women across time seek answers about their identities and heritage, they must overcome the threat of the mysterious curse that has them inextricably intertwined.

 

Review

 

Suspenseful?  Check.  Thrilling?  Check.  Creepy?  Check.  Read with the lights on?  Double-check.

 

The Curse of Misty Wayfair is another exciting read penned by Jaime Jo Wright, who has two other similarly written stories on the market.  They are all stand-alones, but if you are a fan of a suspenseful, slightly creepy read that spans the present and the past, I highly recommend that you read them.

 

This novel in particular is so jam-packed with various historical tidbits such as post-mortem photography, mental asylums, and how superstition can grip not only a person, but a whole town.  As Thea Reed attempts to uncover the secrets of her past, she discovers that facts are shrouded with curses and superstition, making it difficult to find the truth.  In her quest, she unwittingly stumbles upon deadly secrets over which someone will do whatever it takes to keep buried.

 

In present day, Heidi Lane also embarks on a journey into her past, made all the more difficult when she encounters the same superstition that Thea Reed battled many years before.  Through it all, Heidi struggles with knowing what to believe and battling her deepest fear that she is going crazy. 

 

The Curse of Misty Wayfair will grab you from the first page.  I read this book in record time (and then wished I hadn't so I could read yet some more!).  I've thoroughly enjoyed each one of Jaime Jo Wright's books and highly recommend them all for suspense lovers. 

 

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
 

A Desperate Hope

Back Cover

 

Eloise Drake's prim demeanour hides the turbulent past she believes is finally behind her.  A mathematical genius, she's now a successful accountant for the largest engineering project in 1908 New York.  But to her dismay, her new position puts her back in the path of the man responsible for her deepest heartache.

 

Alex Duval is the mayor of a town about to be wiped off the map.  The state plans to flood the entire valley where his town sits in order to build a new reservoir, and Alex is stunned to discover the woman he once loved on the team charged with the demolition.  With his world crumbling around him, Alex devises a risky plan to save his town - but he needs Eloise's help to succeed.

 

Alex is determined to win back the woman he thought he'd lost forever, but even their combined ingenuity may not be enough to overcome the odds against them.

 

Review

 

Every single book of Elizabeth Camden's that I've read, I have loved - and A Desperate Hope is no exception. 

 

Highlighting another member of the Drake family, A Desperate Hope follows Eloise Drake, an incredibly smart young woman who loves her job and is determined to make her own way in the world.  However, when she is advised she will be sent to Duval Springs to assist in demolition of the town, her love for her job battles with her desire to forever lock away memories of her past with Alex Duval.  When it becomes clear she has no choice but to go with the demolition team to Duval Springs in order to keep her job, she reluctantly packs a suitcase and braces herself for the impending encounter with Alex.  Her orderly, prim personality instantly clashes with Alex's passionate character, awakening forbidden memories and longings she believed were safely buried away.

 

Over the course of the story, there are constant tensions between Eloise and Alex, Eloise and her guardian, Eloise and the townspeople, and Eloise and her boss, who is also a potential suitor.  All the tension threatens to spin Eloise's carefully ordered life out of control, and she struggles between wanting to do her job, and desiring to help a town that she once was enthralled with.  In the midst of all the inner turmoil, danger dogs at Eloise's footsteps, and she is perplexed at who would do her harm.

 

Alex has his own struggles in being torn between his loyalty for his townspeople and his love for Eloise.  He desperately wants both, but has a difficult time in seeing how it can all be possible without someone being hurt in the process.

 

With romance, danger, and wonderful historical detail, A Desperate Hope was an engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

 

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

In Too Deep

Back Cover

When the Carrington County Sheriff's Office dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop - or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant.

 

Adam turns to his friend, Dr. Sabrina Fleming to recover the files from the laptop.  But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes.  When evidence implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case. 

 

The truth could set hundreds free - but someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets.

Review

Book two in "Dive Team Investigations", In Too Deep follows a similar format to its predecessor, Beneath the Surface in delivering a fast-paced mystery and a thrilling climax.

The world of computer forensics is fascinating - and not one usually highlighted in mystery novels, as DNA forensics usually takes the forefront in the fictional world of investigations.  I really enjoyed the fun character of Dr. Sabrina Fleming, a superhero buff that wears converse sneakers, drives a Mini Cooper, and lives in a tiny home.  But behind her quirky persona, she is a genius and a whiz with computers.  No matter how locked up a computer drive is, or how damaged, she always is able to draw some clue, some secret from its database.  She is the go-to expert for the dive team, much to Adam Campbell's pleasure as he secretly admires her.

In Too Deep was the perfect mash-up of suspense and romance.  I was hooked from the first page and really wished it was longer!  Fans of Christian suspense will not be disappointed.  The final instalment to the series, One Final Breath, comes out September 3, 2019 - I cannot wait!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.