Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Half Truth (Squeaky Clean In Between Mysteries #2) 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 Half Truth (Squeaky Clean In Between Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt. Yep... another Christy Barritt book, lol. I was going to feature a different book by a different author, but I was halfway into it and not liking it, so I switched gears and started this one. It's so good! Funny and suspenseful. Just what I needed. 

About the Book

*This book officially falls between It Came Upon a Midnight Crime and Organized Grime. It can also be read as a standalone.*

Big trouble can come in small packages . . .

Gabby St. Claire grabs the chance to check an item off her bucket list: attending an auction of unclaimed storage units and hitting a jackpot with her winning bid. But her expectations plummet faster than her bank account on Tax Day when she gets a glimpse of what she’s won.

Convinced she’s wasted her money on a risky venture, Gabby soon realizes that there’s nothing ordinary about her winning items. In fact, the contents of the storage unit appear to be evidence from a crime—a deadly one.

With a suspicious man following her and new clues discovered at every turn, Gabby must figure out what happened. But someone is out to stop Gabby. Will the killer strike again and keep the truth buried? Or can Gabby uncover the truth—the whole truth—before another death occurs?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I raised my hand in the air as I felt opportunity begin to slip away. "One hundred dollars!"

Friday 56

We took off down the road. As we turned out of the neighborhood and onto a main thoroughfare, I saw Riley glance in his rearview mirror. I knew something was wrong.

Again.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Wedding at Sea (Muir Harbor #3) by Melissa Tagg

About the Book (From Goodreads)

Lilian doesn’t remember anything about her life before the day Maggie Muir found her on her front porch—a toddler, abandoned and alone. And maybe that’s okay. She has a beautiful life at Muir Farm, including an adopted family she adores and a successful career as a lawyer. But she also has a secret . . . one that raises just as many questions about her future as it does her unknown past.

And, of course, it would be private investigator Wilder Monroe, her brother’s best friend and the bane of her existence, who sniffs out her secret before anyone else.

Wilder has spent the past three years trying to close the one case his father couldn’t—the mystery of Maggie Muir’s long-lost granddaughter. But the decades-long search has become more tangled than ever. It’s become more personal, too. Not only are the Muirs the closest thing to family he has left, but if he can solve this mystery, maybe he'll keep himself from drowning in the one he can’t . . . the truth about his father’s death.

In the midst of secrets and swirling questions, Maggie asks a favor of both Lilian and put aside their bickering and work together to plan her summer wedding. It’s a big ask, made all the more difficult when danger comes calling at Muir Farm. But if the two enemies can stand each other long enough to pull off the event of the year, they just might solve a mystery in the process.

And the biggest discovery of all? That sometimes the one your heart longs for is the last person you ever would've expected.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was absolute perfection! What a stellar conclusion to this series! I LOVED the first two books. I fell in love with the characters and the setting and was captivated by the mystery. So to say I was eager for this final book is an understatement. And I'm happy to say it exceeded my very high expectations. 

This is one of the best romances I've ever read. I loved watching Wilder and Lilian's dynamic shift. It was so much fun. And so sweet. It never felt forced but felt like a very natural progression, which I appreciated so much.  

Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend not only this book but the whole series. While this might could technically stand alone, I'd still recommend reading them in order because of the overarching mystery and how each story builds on the others. 

I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Beautiful Disguise (The Imposters #1) by Roseanna M. White

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 A Beautiful Disguise (The Imposters #1) by Roseanna M. White releasing August 22.

About the Book

In Edwardian London, not all that glitters is gold as a lady and an intelligence officer's secret mission take them from the city's dazzling ballrooms to its covert intelligence offices.

Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the field, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they're creating a new secret intelligence branch, he's intent on showing his worth. He suspects an aristocrat of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but he needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.

Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father's death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm for the elite to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society who want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend's father as a potential traitor.

Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend's sake, and she's more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can't possibly be as noble as he seems.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: The Nurse's Homecoming (True North Springs Book 3) by Allie Pleiter

About the Book

A temporary position…

Or the beginning of happily-ever-after?

Camp True North Springs is everything nurse Bridget Nicholson needs: a new start after her broken engagement and the opportunity to help grieving families heal—despite her overbearing father’s disapproval. But no one warned Bridget that she’d be working with her ex-boyfriend, Carson Todd…or that another shot at love might be exactly what she needs.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely loved this second chance, opposites-attract romance. It was such a heartwarming and inspirational read.

Camp True North Springs is such a wonderful and special place. It's a place of healing and rest for families who are dealing with the traumatic loss of a loved one. My heart really went out to those families. They were dealing with so much, but the camp was a much-needed bright spot for them.

The characters were authentic and easy to like. (Well, except for Bridget's dad. He was a real pill! And that's putting it mildly!) Bridget was kind, resilient, and still trying to get out of her dad's imposing shadow. Carson was a genuinely nice and caring guy. While Bridget's family was wealthy, Carson was perceived as poor and unambitious by her dad, who always wanted more for her.

This story took some surprising turns and kept me thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. I highly recommend it to fans of inspirational contemporary romance.

I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Wedding at Sea (Muir Harbor #3) by Melissa Tagg

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 Wedding at Sea (Muir Harbor #3) by Melissa Tagg. This was so good! The perfect conclusion to this series. It releases this coming Thursday, June 29, and I'll have my review up that day, if you want to come back and check it out. 

About the Book (From Goodreads)

Lilian doesn’t remember anything about her life before the day Maggie Muir found her on her front porch—a toddler, abandoned and alone. And maybe that’s okay. She has a beautiful life at Muir Farm, including an adopted family she adores and a successful career as a lawyer. But she also has a secret . . . one that raises just as many questions about her future as it does her unknown past.

And, of course, it would be private investigator Wilder Monroe, her brother’s best friend and the bane of her existence, who sniffs out her secret before anyone else.

Wilder has spent the past three years trying to close the one case his father couldn’t—the mystery of Maggie Muir’s long-lost granddaughter. But the decades-long search has become more tangled than ever. It’s become more personal, too. Not only are the Muirs the closest thing to family he has left, but if he can solve this mystery, maybe he'll keep himself from drowning in the one he can’t . . . the truth about his father’s death.

In the midst of secrets and swirling questions, Maggie asks a favor of both Lilian and put aside their bickering and work together to plan her summer wedding. It’s a big ask, made all the more difficult when danger comes calling at Muir Farm. But if the two enemies can stand each other long enough to pull off the event of the year, they just might solve a mystery in the process.

And the biggest discovery of all? That sometimes the one your heart longs for is the last person you ever would've expected.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

The houseboat bobbed on choppy waters, little more than an inky shadow against the faintest shards of moonlight.

Friday 56 (I had a hard time finding a snippet at 56% that wasn't a spoiler, so this one is from 57%)

Lilian was weeping by the time she finished the letter, the words blurring in front of her as she let the frayed single page fall into her lap.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Two Believe (Silas McKay #2) by Luana Ehrlich

About the Book

It was no ordinary robbery. The suspect is no ordinary thief. The investigator is no ordinary detective.

He’s Silas McKay, head of operations for Discreet Corporate Security Systems in Dallas, Texas.

Silas doesn’t usually investigate stolen merchandise, but when his boss asks him to look into a jewelry heist at Gadise Diamonds, a high-end store in the Dallas area, he makes an exception.

When Silas learns this was no ordinary robbery, and the suspect is no ordinary thief, he enlists the help of Ashley Davenport, who’s no ordinary woman.

It was no ordinary robbery . . .
It happened in broad daylight, no weapons were involved, and there were plenty of security cameras present.

The suspect is no ordinary thief . . .
He’s Todd Harriman, a billionaire’s son, who could afford to buy the entire jewelry store, so why would he devise an elaborate plan to steal merchandise from it?

Ashley is no ordinary woman . . .
She’s a wealthy socialite, about to start her own detective agency, and the last person Silas needs in his life right now, especially since he’s still angry at God for the loss of his wife, and Ashley doesn’t believe in God.

As Silas and Ashley work together to confront the guilty party, Silas must confront his feelings about Ashley as well as his anger toward God. Can Silas believe God wants the best for him? Can Ashley find the faith to believe? Can two believe?

Two Believe is an inspiring suspenseful read from USA Today bestselling author, Luana Ehrlich, and Book II in the Silas McKay Suspense Series, a character-driven, emotion-packed series featuring Silas McKay, a corporate security investigator who’s not afraid to take risks, but who’s a little skittish about making changes.

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

I read the first book, One Wonders, in the Winter Deceptions box set and loved it. This sequel was just as good! It held my full attention from beginning to end.

 

Silas and Ashley are great characters who work well together. The case they're working on this time seemed very open and shut, but it was unique in the fact that the crime was committed in broad daylight and in full view of many people, but there was no proof. How did the guilty party pull off the crime? And how were Silas and Ashley going to prove it? I was racing through the pages, wondering how this would all conclude.

 

Luana Ehrlich is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for high-stakes suspense. I can't wait for her next release!

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Shadow of Deceit (Shadow Lake Survival #1) by Susan Sleeman

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 Shadow of Deceit (Shadow Lake Survival #1) by Susan Sleeman releasing August 2.

About the Book

When returning to her past threatens her life and a murder occurs…

When Mia Blackburn returns to Shadow Lake to inherit her uncle’s property, she doesn’t expect a threatening warning before she even reaches the rustic resort. And when a fire traps her in the burning barn that very day, she fears she won’t get out alive. Just in time, Ryan Maddox, her ex-boyfriend and Shadow Lake Survival owner, rescues her from the deadly blaze. She’s thankful for his rescue, but after their tumultuous breakup, he’s the last person she wants to see.

Will she be the next victim?

Despite the threatening warning and her residual feelings for Ryan, Mia won’t let anyone scare her from the rustic resort before she fulfills the terms of her uncle’s will and inherits the property. Ryan insists on keeping a close eye on her, and soon Mia feels safer and closer to Ryan than ever before. Yet the threats haven’t stopped, and soon Mia’s inheritance includes a murder, and she could be the next victim.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS HIGH-STAKES INHERITANCE BUT COMPLETELY REVISED AND NEW CONTENT ADDED.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?