Vow of Justice by Lynette Eason

Book Summary:

FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes his life to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her “murder.” As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn’t sure how he’s supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time–this time for good.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book!  Start to finish loved it!  The plot of this book hooked me and kept my interest until the last page.  I think Allie and Linc were such great characters and I loved their interactions!  This has been my favorite suspense read of the year so far!  Vow of Justice had multiple layers that I don’t often find in a suspense book.  The characters had great depth and Allie in particular had a background that really played into the entire plot of the story which made things even more intriguing.  I loved that Allie was smart and capable and while Linc was protective of her, he knew she could handle herself and allowed her to do her job without treating her like she was breakable.  This book had enough danger and action to keep me guessing without going overboard into the super unbelievable realm.  I thought that this book was really balanced with pacing, romance, action and suspense.  It was just an all around exceptional suspense book and I am a little sad to see this series end.  However, I am definitely looking forward to whatever Lynette Eason sends our way next!

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Vow of Justice or learn more about Lynette Eason, visit the links below!

Amazon: Vow of Justice

https://lynetteeason.com/

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, but I was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris

Book Summary:

Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victim’s husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn’s theory, Josh soon realizes that the attack that took his wife’s life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn’s team–and what their end game is–before it’s too late.

 

My Thoughts:

I am always excited to dive into a romantic suspense book and this one was a page turner for sure!  I was instantly invested in the story after the opening scene!  This book really dives in full force  and does not really let up.  There seemed to be danger and suspicions at every turn!  It really had me guessing until the end!  I thought that Caitlyn and Josh were both likable characters and they really made a good team as they searched for the the truth surrounding what they believe to be suspicious deaths.  I had my suspicions about who was the villain and I was completely wrong!  So wrong!  I would say that this book was a bit heavy on the near death experiences and some of the characters actions and choices had me scratching my head a bit.  Overall I found this to be entertaining and definitely full of surprises, so I think that romantic suspense junkies should definitely give it try!

If you would like to purchase a copy of Deadly Intentions or learn more about Lisa Harris, visit the links below!

Amazon: Deadly Intentions

http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher but was not required to post a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey

Book Summary:

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.

When investigative reporter–and Finn’s boss’s sister–Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she’s back, 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?

 

My Thoughts:

As a romantic suspense junkie I have been anxiously awaiting The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey. First of all, the cover is amazing! It’s one of my favorite covers this year!

So, what did I like about this first book in this brand new series?

This book, like many Dani Pettrey novels, hooks you from the very first pages! Gripping scenes that are descriptive and intense set the stage for the remainder of the book while giving the reader a little glimpse into a few of the characters backgrounds. Another thing that I enjoyed about this book is that it focuses a lot on the Coast Gaurd Investigative Services team members, which as I reader I love! It was great to have a group of characters to warm up to and my assumption is that we will get to see these characters featured in all the books in this series! In true Dani Pettrey style there were a lot of twists, turns, and unexpected dangers that kept me on my toes so to speak. The unpredictably in her writing is one of the reasons that I have come to expect an action filled suspenseful read when I grab one of her books!

What are some things that I didn’t love about this book?

We’ve all got a few bookish pet peeves, be honest, you do! I honestly have a great dislike of characters who are reporters. They aren’t my fave. Gabby’s character is a reporter and she was a character that I really did not connect with throughout this entire book. Her actions and decisions were hard for me to identify with and her character was one of the main focal points of this book. I didn’t understand Finn’s attraction to her and I also had a hard time with her constantly putting her reporting before everyone and everything in her life. I also had a little bit of a hard time following the plot as the chapters were shorter and seemed to be less cohesive than what I’m used to with Dani Pettrey’s writing style.

For me, this wasn’t one of my favorite Dani Pettrey novels. However, there is a book for everyone and I am already excited about the next book in this series. I loved the CGIS team members and am excited to see where this series goes!

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book or learn more about Dani Pettrey, visit the links below!

Amazon: The Killing Tide

https://www.danipettrey.com/

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher but I was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The String by Caleb Breakey

Book Summary:

Welcome to the string, a game of impossible decisions and deadly consequences. Let’s go over the ground rules.

Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.
Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.
Game on.

Get ready for a deadly social experiment as a sociopath known as The Conductor delivers disturbing threats and twisted moral dilemmas to unsuspecting students and staff.

As a powerful instinct for self-preservation sweeps through the campus, one man has a grave decision to make. Will university cop Markus Haas play the game to protect those he loves? Or will he break the string and incite massive chaos–and even death?

 

My Thoughts:

After reading the book blurb for The String by Caleb Breakey, I knew I wanted to give it a shot. I’m kind of a sucker for suspense and psychological thrillers, and I felt like The String might be fast paced and intense.

After reading this book I have mixed feeling about it. It was intense, the villain was pure evil, and there were so many unpredictable twists that as a reader it really kept me guessing. However, within that there were things that I didn’t love as well. I felt like a mastermind could have really believably only kept up with a certain number of people to the degree that these characters were experiencing. Instead of being scared, it made me annoyed at the improbability of that. I also didn’t love the comic book type approach that the author took with the villain. White make up, trench coat, weird hat, and a self appointed criminal mastermind name had me visualizing something from a Marvel movie instead of focusing on his evil intent.

However, after saying all of that I truly feel like my issues with this book were purely person dislikes. I felt as though this book was well written, delivered the expected dangers and intensity that it advertised and I think that psychological thriller fans might enjoy this book. I think that it was an ok book, but it wasn’t the book for me.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The String or learn more about the author, visit the links below!

Amazon: The String

https://www.getthestring.com/home

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher but was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

 

Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh

Book Summary:

Single mother Carly Collins likes predictability. However, when her son Jaden’s health is threatened, her neatly controlled world is tossed into a tailspin. Nothing is certain anymore, especially her feelings for Josh Dixon, Jaden’s father, her first love and the man responsible for shattering her heart sixteen years ago. 

When Josh Dixon walked out of Harbor Pointe, he left behind his only shot at a real family. Now a successful tech mogul, the town rebel has found a cause—ensure his son’s recovery and prove to Carly and Jaden that he’s not the same guy he was back then. 

Carly and Josh are forced to wade through messy emotions and questions that have gone unanswered for years, which would be easier if not for the pesky feelings, every bit as strong and impossible to ignore as they ever were. 

My Thoughts:

Every time I pick up a Courtney Walsh book I am amazed at how impactful it is. Hidden in inside this adorable cover is a story that will sneak up on you with its depth! Courtney Walsh knows how to balance characters with real issues and an engaging plot to create stories that are relatable and real. There are so many things that I loved about this story! First and forever, Josh was my absolute favorite thing about this book. He might be one of my favorite heroes of the year! When an author redeems a character to the point that they become your favorite, you know the writing is exceptional! Josh was everything I love about a hero. Another favorite was of course Jaden! He became a favorite of mine in Just Let Go and it was really fun to see him have a bigger part in this book! Carly, Carly, Carly. She was the hardest thing for me to deal with in this book. I really disliked her. Her past made her skeptical and bitter and it seeped into every area of her life. It was hard to see those hurts represented in her actions and words time after time throughout this book. However, want to know a little secret? I think I identified the most with her. What? I mean the one that I really kind of hated, that drove me crazy, that I wanted shake a little bit. Yep. There was a point in this book where I said, wow, I’ve said those exact words!

One thing is certain, the themes of forgiveness and redemption is evident throughout this story and it is done in an impeccable way. I loved the shared faith of Jaden and Josh and how much of an example it became to Carly. I loved that Josh’s actions continually spoke to his changed life. I loved when Carly’s shell finally started to crack and her bitterness began to fade.

This story was so worth the read! I love Courtney Walsh’s writing! She proves to me time and time again that contemporary romance novels can be meaningful and tug at your heartstrings. Loved it! All the feels!

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book or learn more about Courtney Walsh, visit the links below!

Amazon: Just One Kiss

http://courtneywalshwrites.com/

*I was given a copy of this book by the author but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

Book Summary:

Mentioned in the pages of the Septuagint but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets–and dangers–never before seen on earth.

Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is finally given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as “Viorica” snatches the volume right out from under them.

Iskra “Viorica” Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most–freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives–entire nations.

Though both are haunted by secrets of their past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in two-thousand-year-old words could unleash the storm of their own destruction.

My Thoughts:

I was really excited to get initiated into the fiction of Ronie Kendig through her latest release Storm Rising.  She has such a loyal and vocal fan base, that it was a bit intimidating to dive in to her writing as a newbie reader.  However, I really enjoyed this book and am really excited to read more as this series continues!

Now, what did I think?  Storm Rising was action packed, intriguing, and filled with edge of your seat danger!  The characters in this book really kept me invested in the story and the plot moved at such a quick pace that it draws the reader into the story as if they are right in the middle of the action.  Both of the main characters had a backstory that made me understand and identify with their situations and challenges.  Apart from the amazing characters the actual plot of this story was so interesting that I just needed to know how it would resolve!

I really loved Storm Rising and cannot wait to see what is yet to come in the next book, Kings Falling!

If you would like to purchase a copy of Storm Rising or learn more about Ronie Kendig, visit the links below!

Amazon: Storm Rising

http://roniekendig.com/

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher.  I was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

Book Summary:

Jacqueline Rivers manages a Pony Express station in 1860 Utah territory after her father’s death. There are daily stresses placed on her in this unconventional role—and now a government official is asking her to sniff out counterfeiters. When Elijah Johnson passes through on the stage while on an exhausting quest to find his boss’s heir, he doesn’t want to leave the beguiling station manager. In fact, he may never leave when caught in the crossfire of the territory’s criminal activities. Jackie can’t decide if Elijah is friend or foe. Can she remain strong when secrets of the past and present are finally unearthed? 

My Thoughts:

The cover of this book is absolutely fantastic! I love the pop of red and after reading the book, the long blonde braid has a lot of significance to the story! I have never read any book centered around the Pony Express, so that aspect of this story alone was really interesting to read about! The prologue of this book will draw the reader in and really set the stage for the remainder of the book. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of how the Pony Express operated through Jackie and her crew, it was really fun to read about how the system worked and what went into moving along the riders and the mail. There was a bit of a mystery with the promise of danger throughout the story as the characters tried to confront an issue of forging. Amidst the daily tasks of the Express and the hunt for forgers Jackie and Elijah each search for answers relates to Jackie’s family and the past. There’s a tiny bit of romance sprinkled into this story as well!

This was a sweet historical with a bit of danger, mystery, and a dash of romance. The characters were easy to like and the story was unique and offered a glimpse into the fascinating workings of the Pony Express. An enjoyable read if you are looking for a light historical fiction novel!

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Express Bride or learn more about the author, visit the links below!

Amazon: The Express Bride

https://kimberleywoodhouse.com/

*I was given a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.