Can't Wait Wednesday: Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks

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 Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks releasing September 13.

About the Book (From Amazon)

Her carefully crafted life is about to be demolished.

After a difficult childhood, Samantha Williams craves simplicity: jigsaw puzzles, lectures at the library, and the students she adores in her role as an elementary school art teacher in the dusty farming community of LaCrosse, Washington.

But when an SUV crashes into the building where she teaches, her entire world is upended. Samantha manages to keep the children safe, but her car isn’t so lucky. Oddly, her purse—with her driver’s license, credit cards, and other identification—is missing from the wreckage.

After authorities discover that the driver in the accident was shot seconds before the crash, Samantha quickly becomes entangled in increasingly strange events that have her constantly looking over her shoulder.

Samantha has long tried to forget the tragedy of her past, but the twisting connections she discovers between the murdered driver, a deadly secret government project, and an abandoned town can't be ignored. Those involved are determined to keep these secrets buried, and they’ll use any means necessary to stop Samantha’s search for truth.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: I Will Find You (The Epic Story of RJ and York #2) by Susan May Warren

About the Book

The woman he loves has vanished…

When RJ Marshall said she’d be right back, York should have objected. No, he wasn’t going to let her run off to Berlin, even if it was to save a little girl.

Only problem—she’d told him this while he was unconscious. So really, it doesn’t count, and it’s not his fault that she’s gone missing. And, he didn’t know why he expected RJ not to chase danger into trouble. But now he has to find her before criminal mastermind Alan Martin tracks her down.

She’s in over her head…

RJ didn’t mean to leave York behind, but she’s on a mission to save a little girl caught in the crossfire of Martin’s terrorist plot. Now, she’ll have to find the girl and keep her safe while leaving clues for York to follow her.

But who will catch up to her first—York, or the man with a vendetta?

The gripping romantic adventure continues across Europe in this second installment of the Epic Story of RJ and York!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a great continuation of The Epic Story of RJ and York! It picks up where the previous one left off and things hardly ever slow down. It's high stakes and danger and, just like the first one, impossible to put down.

The issues I had with RJ in the first book were nonexistent here. It seems like she's learned a lot from her mistakes. I loved seeing that character growth. York was great, like always. Brave, chivalrous, swoonworthy. I can't get enough of him. We're also introduced to a new character, Ziggy. She was just flat-out awesome, and I'd love to read more about her. And Roy too.

Be prepared for a cliffhanger. A mighty big one. I'm anxious to get my hands on the next book.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Bound by Murder (Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries Book 1) by Christy Barritt

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 Bound by Murder by Christy Barritt. This is a really fun and quick cozy mystery set in Lantern Beach, one of Barritt's most popular settings. 

About the Book

When widow Talitha Robinson buys an old store on the boardwalk in Lantern Beach, North Carolina, she’s in for a surprise . . . or several. She plans to renovate the space and open Beach Bound Books and Beans, but never expects to find a decades-old skeleton hidden inside one of the walls.

As word of the discovery spreads across the island, strange occurrences begin to occur around her. It soon becomes clear someone still knows something about the dead person—something they don’t want discovered.

Thankfully, former police chief and current mayor Mac MacArthur seems just as eager to unravel the mystery behind the skeletal remains as Tali. But as the two bind together to solve the case, a devastating secret is revealed.

Will their newfound friendship come unglued before they find the answers to the past? Or will their blooming relationship die like the man hidden in the wall?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Talitha Robinson raised the sledgehammer as she stared at the man in front of her. Her muscles bristled as she prepared herself for action.

Friday 56

"In full disclosure, we found human remains inside the wall of one of those stores. It's possible the body's been there about fifteen years."

"You think I killed someone and hid them inside one of the stores?" Some of the friendliness left John's voice.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Out of the Night (The Epic Story of RJ and York #1) by Susan May Warren

About the Book

He’s not looking for trouble…

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

Too bad trouble doesn’t agree…

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

But he’s in jail, right?

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

Will he ever outrun trouble to find his happy ending?

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

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

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I was so excited to hang out with RJ and York again. And what a thrilling, heartstopping ride this first installment of their story was! My goodness, there were so many times where I could hardly catch my breath.

I didn't think it was possible to like York more than I already did, but it happened. He's such a likable, fierce, loyal, and good guy. To say he's been through a lot would be a vast understatement, but he's such a fighter. I only wanted the absolute best for him. I'm not gonna lie, RJ got on my very last nerve. She was so stubborn, reckless, and rushed into danger without even a thought. By the end of the story, I'd kinda lost all patience for her antics. I just wanted to shake some sense into her.

I'm thrilled that this series is releasing so quickly. It'd be awful to have to wait any longer to find out what happens to these characters next. It's nonstop action and constant danger and I'm really enjoying it so far! I'd definitely recommend reading the Montana Marshalls series before diving into this one. It might technically could be read as a standalone. There's a really good recap of what happened previously, but I think you'd still miss out on a lot if you just start here.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Aberration of Eden Pruitt (The Eden Pruitt #2) by K.E. Ganshert

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 The Aberration of Eden Pruitt (The Eden Pruitt #2) by K.E. Ganshert releasing September 13. I preordered this book immediately after finishing the first one. I'm so eager to find out what happens next!

About the Book

Eden Pruitt’s parents are alive. They are safe. But not Eden. She won’t be until they hunt down the high-stakes gambler known as Mordecai. Eager for redemption, Cassian Gray won’t rest until they succeed.

Together, they follow a trail of clues that thrusts them into a dark, dangerous, twisted reality. At its center stands an enemy far more powerful than they ever imagined.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Smoky Mountain Comfort (Smoky Mountain Romance #1) by Andrea Byrd

About the Book

Emotionally abused by her father and damaged by her past, Abigail doesn't trust anyone... even herself. Instead, she lives for her quiet, little bookstore that has become her comfort zone. But when books begin to mysteriously disappear and reappear from the shelves and her father announces an impending visit, Abigail feels helplessly alone in her turmoil. Can she find it in her heart to trust one of her most loyal customers-the unnervingly attractive police officer, Jake Callahan-to assist? Will God use her circumstances to teach her how to fully trust in Him and His plan once more?

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting.

MY THOUGHTS

This was a really sweet read. I was actually reading something else when I picked this one up on Amazon. I thought I'd just read a couple of pages and then set it aside for a while, but there was just something so endearing about this story that I couldn't help but continue it.

I really felt for Abigail. She had such a kind soul, but had to deal with some pretty harsh and unwarranted criticism. I wanted the best for her. I liked Jake a lot. He was the quintessential good guy, and I was rooting so hard for him and Abigail to end up together.

I liked the fact that there was a little mystery too. It added a nice bit of tension to an already great story. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and sweet romance. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Out of the Night (The Epic Story of RJ and York #1) by Susan May Warren

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 Out of the Night (The Epic Story of RJ and York #1) by Susan May Warren. I'm thrilled that this series is releasing so quickly (all three are out this month!) because it'd be awful to have to wait any longer to find out what happens to these characters next. It's nonstop action and constant danger and I'm enjoying it so much!

About the Book

He’s not looking for trouble…

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

Too bad trouble doesn’t agree…

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

But he’s in jail, right?

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

Will he ever outrun trouble to find his happy ending?

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

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

York wasn't a coward. Not even a little. Besides, RJ was going to say yes.

Friday 56

He was either a very dangerous, or very safe, man.

Depended on what side you were on.

What have you been reading lately?