Thursday, July 28, 2022

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Dark Intercept (The Shepherds #1) by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Dark Intercept (The Shepherds #1) by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

I haven't been able to read very much this week because we got a new puppy. She's an adorable 14 week old Lab/German Shepherd mix. She seems sweet and very smart. Our other two dogs seem to be adjusting to her okay. Jack, our Yorkie-Poo, seems indifferent to her, while Max, our Xolo, has been a little more leery of her. It's obvious that he wants to be her friend, but she's so enthusiastic (and already pretty much the same size as him), that I think she kinda intimidates him. I'm hoping they'll be best buddies in no time though. They've already made a lot of progress. 

About the Book
When dark forces rise, are faith and firepower enough?

On the eve of his medical retirement, Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson receives a frantic call from his estranged childhood best friend David Yarnell. David's daughter has been kidnapped off the streets of Nashville in broad daylight. The police have no suspects and no leads. The only clue: the body of a dead priest left behind at the scene. With the clock ticking, David is growing desperate, as is his wife, Rachel . . . Jed's first love.

Despite his painful history with David and Rachel, Jed agrees to help. But he's spent his career as a door-kicking Navy SEAL, not an investigator. His presence immediately draws unwanted attention, creates friction with the local police, and triggers a mysterious attempt on his life. Just when he thinks things can't get worse, it starts to happen again--the voices in his head, the nightmares, the visions. Dark memories and strange abilities, things he believed he'd left behind when he fled Nashville for the Navy at eighteen, begin to resurface.

Jed realizes that to save the missing girl, he must take a leap of faith and embrace the gifts he's denied for all these years. To foil this dark intercept, he'll need more than just his years as a SEAL operator, because he has no choice now but to take up arms and join the battle in the unseen spiritual warfare raging all around him. And there is far more at stake than just a missing girl: the world is not the place he thought it was--and he is not alone.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
Tactical superiority, courage under fire, and unbreakable brotherhood - these were the traits that defined Naval Special Warfare.

Friday 56
Her footfalls were noisy—dead leaves crunching and twigs breaking with every step—and her hard panting seemed to echo in the forest. She was so very, very loud. Somewhere in her mind she recognized this was a problem, but fear drove her heedlessly, like a pack of wolves nipping at her heels. She tired quickly and desperately wanted to stop and rest, but the voice in her head wouldn’t let her.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt

About the Book
In 1936--A party at the Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, leads to a robbery--and possibly death.

A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield comes to Ca’ d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.

Chloe’s grandmother—rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring—was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.

Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?


MY THOUGHTS

I'm a sucker for any story that involves the circus, so I was instantly intrigued by High-Wire Heartbreak. And while there's not much circus "action", I absolutely adored it. It was even better than I thought it'd be. And Ca' d'Zan was such a great setting! It was so beautiful and grand. I didn't know anything about this winter home of John Ringling before this book, so I found it all to be quite interesting.

This dual timeline story follows Chloe in present day Sarasota as she's working on her next historical mystery, which she plans to set at Ca' d'Zan. We also get a peek into the past of her great-grandmother Lucy, who worked for John Ringling in the 1930s as a trapeze artist. I loved seeing how these two timelines intersected, discovering their secrets, and solving the big mystery surrounding Lucy. And while I enjoyed both timelines a great deal, I've gotta say, the past edged out the present just slightly as my favorite.

This was such a fantastic story that I highly recommend. It's the first book I've read by this author and I'll definitely be looking for more from her.

I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

4.5 STARS

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Can't Wait Wednesday: Blood Secrets (Skyworld #2) by Morgan L. Busse

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Blood Secrets (Skyworld #2) by Morgan L. Busse releasing August 9.  

About the Book
Not everyone wants to see the world saved . . .

Time is running out. Cities are being engulfed in the Mist and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Theo believes he has found a way to stop mankind from Turning, but he doesn’t know how to alter Cass’s unique blood into a cure. Or if it can even be done.

Meanwhile, Cass struggles with the idea that she is possibly the savior of the world—a world she is not sure is worth saving.

From the Winchester manse to the steel city of Decadenn, there is something more chasing Cass than the House of Lords or the masked man who can walk in the Mist. Soon she must decide if she will use her blood to save mankind or let those who only care about themselves perish.


What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Monday, July 25, 2022

Review: Heroes in the Crossfire: Four Romantic Suspense Novellas

About the Book
Four Romantic Suspense Novellas by award-winning, bestselling authors.

Out of Time by Lynn Blackburn
An attorney in Raleigh, NC, Hope Malone has never let her wheelchair stop her from reaching her goals. She’s established a successful business law practice and enjoys the occasional pro bono work. But when a long-lost friend reaches out for help, Hope finds herself dragged into a world of organized crime, kidnapping, and murder— and right back in the path of the one man she’s determined to avoid, FBI Special Agent Charles Romero.

Just days away from arresting the notorious crime boss, Charles never expects Hope— the woman who ghosted him seven weeks ago— to show up at a crime scene and nearly destroy his entire case. If he wants to convince her to give them another chance, he’ll first have to keep her from sacrificing her life to save two innocent ones.

Code Trauma by Lynette Eason
Flight Nurse Practitioner, Holly Cooper, has an enemy who wants her gone from the hospital one way or another. She and her fiancé, Detective Andy McKittrick are “taking a break”, and a patient has died under mysterious circumstances. Life is complicated at the moment so when she’s attacked, her friends—and “on hold” fiancé come to the rescue. Andy may have his issues, but he’s never stopped loving Holly. When he hears someone is out to get her, he races to her side. Can they find a killer before the killer succeeds in sending Holly six feet under?

Dawn's Hidden Threat by Elizabeth Goddard
An Unexpected Search and Rescue uncovers a hidden threat. When Ridge Ledger’s SAR and avalanche dog discovers an injured woman, Ridge is surprised that she’s the woman who broke his heart two months ago---in California. Not Alaska. He doesn’t know why she’s not still in the Lower 48, and he’s caught off guard when she attacks him as if fighting for her life. He’s shocked to learn the woman he loved has forgotten him. Angie Harris—is that even her name? —can’t recall who she is. She doesn’t know whom to trust, except for the man who rescued her from a cold dark cave and a grizzly bear. But she can’t forget the face of the man who tried to kill her. Remembering the reason that she came to Alaska is vital to her survival, and as it turns out, Ridge’s survival too.

Point Blank by Lisa Harris
From USA Today Best-selling author, Lisa Harris, comes a novella that brings together fan-favorite characters from two of her series—Nikki Boyd, her husband Tyler, and Jack Spencer from her best-selling Nikki Boyd Files Series, and Madison James and Jonas Quinn from her more recent US Marshal Series. When one of Nikki’s teammates is killed during a routine training exercise at a shoot house, deadly secrets are revealed as evidence of murder surfaces. Now, the remaining team is caught up in a highly personal case that pulls them into a tangled web of deception as they race to find a killer.

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

This collection contains four novellas from some of the top romantic suspense authors in the Christian fiction genre. All of the stories are connected to at least one of their series. I was worried I'd be lost with most of them since I haven't had the chance to read any of the series before, but that wasn't the case at all. I was completely invested and even more eager to check out the series these stories are connected to.

My favorites were Out of Time by Lynn H. Blackburn and Code Trauma by Lynette Eason. They were both super suspenseful and held my full attention from beginning to end. Elizabeth Goddard's story is a prequel to her forthcoming Missing in Alaska series and has an amnesia plotline. I'd recently read a couple of other mysteries that featured that same plot, so I was a little burned out on that trope. But it was an otherwise engaging story. Point Blank by Lisa Harris connects her Nikki Boyd and US Marshals series. I thought this one started out really strong, but the mystery took a bit of a convoluted turn. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

3.5 STARS

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Cover Reveal: Forest of Scarlet by Tara Grayce


I'm so excited to be part of the cover reveal for Forest of Scarlet (Court of Midsummer Mayhem Book 1) by Tara Grayce! (Isn't it gorgeous?) 


About the Book

A stolen bride's sister
Robin Hood's brother
Their mission: steal humans back from the fae


When Brigid's sister was stolen by the fae, Brigid resolved never to let another family suffer that same pain ever again. Sure, everything worked out fine in the end, but not every human stolen by the fae fared so well. Now settled in the Fae Realm, she sets out to steal humans back from the fae, no matter the cost to herself.

But the fae don't give up their prizes easily. Brigid must out-fae the fae if she has a hope of keeping her identity a secret and save those who have been taken. She needs allies, and who better than a realm-walking Robin Hood and her merry band of brothers? Even if one of those brothers is a tad too sweet and too interested in Brigid for his good...or hers.

When the human-snatching takes an even darker turn, will Brigid and her band of allies be enough? Or will they, too, find themselves caught in the whims of fae willing to shed blood to get their darkest desires?

Inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Forest of Scarlet is book one in a new fantasy romance series featuring magic libraries, a whimsical and deadly fae realm, and crazy fae hijinks by bestselling author Tara Grayce!


Preorder Link for Forest of Scarlet


Release Date: TBD
Currently, the release date is set for July of 2023. But this date should change as the author finishes writing the book and has a better idea when it will release. Her goal is for the book to release sometime at the end of this year yet! Woohoo!


GIVEAWAY INFO:


HARDCOVER GIVEAWAY! 

You can win signed hardcovers of these lovely books featuring magical fae libraries or characters who will show up in Forest of Scarlet (Court of Midsummer Mayhem Book 1):
STOLEN MIDSUMMER BRIDE (Court of Midsummer Mayhem Prequel) by @taragrayceauthor
BLUEBEARD AND THE OUTLAW (A Villain’s Ever After / Court of Midsummer Mayhem Prequel) by @taragrayceauthor
ENTRANCED (Prince of the Doomed City Book 1) by @authorsylviamercedes

TO ENTER:
- Head over to Instagram
- Like and leave a comment HERE
- Follow @taragrayceauthor
EXTRA ENTRIES
- Invite/tag friends
- follow @authorsylviamercedes
- Share this post via stories

Entries close Friday, July 29 at midnight EST. The winner will be announced on or before August 5. Entrants must be 18 or older. This giveaway is open internationally. The author signatures may be provided in the form of a signed bookplate to place inside the book. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram.

GOOD LUCK!



Thursday, July 21, 2022

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt. This is a really fantastic dual timeline. The first quote is from the present-day storyline and the second is from the historical timeline.

About the Book
In 1936--A party at the Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, leads to a robbery--and possibly death.

A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield comes to Ca’ d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.

Chloe’s grandmother—rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring—was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.

Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
Sweat beaded Chloe Whitfield's forehead and soaked her neck. Her loose-fitting shift-style dress was a mass of wrinkles. Who had ever thought linen was a good idea for clothing? She'd chosen her outfit with the thought of wanting to present herself as the professional and successful woman she was.

Friday 56
“Please join us Nardo.” Mr. Jefferson indicated a second chair and then sat between them in the third. “As I was just saying to Miss Conroy, it would appear we are on the horns of a dilemma, my young friends.” He passed the newspaper to Nardo, who glanced at the article, then let the paper fall from his fingers as he sat back in the chair.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Buy-In (Graham Brothers #1) by Emma St. Clair

About the Book
"You can't Schitt's Creek a town, Tank."
"And you can't verb a noun, son."


When a family of former pro football players buy a small Texas town, they didn't intend to start a war with its residents ... or to fall in love.

Ever since his career-ending injury, Pat has bounced from job to job, idea to idea, short-lived relationship to short-lived relationship. But when his father purchases the town of Sheet Cake, Pat suddenly sees his life with clear purpose: get his brothers on board with his dad's wild idea and win back the one woman who got away.

Lindy was supposed to be traveling the world, not stuck in a small town, caring for her niece. But she would do anything to keep custody of Jo--even if that looks like a marriage of convenience with the man who already broke her heart once.

Now if she can only keep herself from falling back in love with her husband...

This is a small town, marriage of convenience romantic comedy with plenty of sizzle while keeping the bedroom door closed. It's the first in a spinoff series following Harper's brothers (from Falling for Your Best Friend). You don't need to have read the Love Clichés series first to enjoy this book.

(Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting.)

MY THOUGHTS

This was an absolutely delightful romantic comedy. I loved that even though there were a ton of laughs, (seriously, I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions) there was a lot of depth too. There were some tough real-life issues addressed here. It felt like the perfect combination.

Pat and Lindy were easy to like. Right from the beginning, I was rooting for them. And Jo was such a smart and adorable little girl full of surprises. I really enjoyed the Graham family dynamics too, and how close the siblings and their dad were.

I loved the town of Sheet Cake. It definitely needed a lot of work, but it was such a charming place full of a ton of potential. And I really liked all (well, most) of the residents. Winnie, Val, Chevy, Mari, Ashlee, the Bobs... the list could go on and on. I'm so eager to visit the town again and see what everyone's up to now.

This was my first full-length novel by this author and I'm kicking myself for not reading her books sooner. All the praise I've heard is well warranted and I'm eager to read more. This book is definitely making my "Best of" list for this year. Needless to say, I can't recommend it highly enough.

FIVE STARS