Review: Without Warning (Elite Guardians #2) by Lynette Eason

Summary:

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.

Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business.

Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again.

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series, as well as Always Watching in the Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of an ACFW Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. She lives in South Carolina.

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

Four Stars

When a fired employee is found hanging in the basement of Daniel Matthews' restaurant and then another one of his restaurants is set on fire, it becomes obvious that someone is targeting Daniel and his interests. His teenage niece, Riley, suggests Katie, her self defense teacher and partner of Elite Guardians Protection Agency, be his bodyguard. Daniel's a very capable man who can take care of himself, so he doesn't like the idea, but reluctantly agrees. He's smart enough to realize the seriousness of the situation and accepts Katie's help.

The suspense in this book was off the charts and the pace is lightning fast, having me glued to the pages trying to figure out what was going on and what was going to happen next. While the suspense was great, it did take me about half the book before I really connected with Daniel and Katie. I really liked Riley, though. She had a really strong, deep faith and seemed very mature and wise for her seventeen years. I suspected who the bad guy was, but could not figure out what their motive might be, but it all made sense when it was revealed.

All in all, Without Warning was another action-packed suspenseful read from Lynette Eason that I'm sure any fan of romantic suspense will enjoy. It had been awhile since I read Always Watching, the first book in this series, so I was a little worried about being lost, but I had no need to fret. I'm pretty sure this could standalone just fine. I'm definitely looking forward to getting my hands on Moving Target, book three, to see what threat the Elite Guardians encounter next.

Books in this series:

• Always Watching (Elite Guardians #1)
• Without Warning (Elite Guardians #2)
• Moving Target (Elite Guardians #3)
• Chasing Secrets (Elite Guardians #4)

To learn more from this author, go to her website here.

Waiting on Wednesday: I'll Be There: A Deep Haven Montana Fire novel by Susan May Warren

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm featuring I'll Be There: A Deep Haven Montana Fire novel by Susan May Warren releasing May 16.

Summary

From a USA Today bestselling and RITA-award winning author, a novel uniting two beloved series:

Smokejumper Conner Young can't wait to marry the woman who's stood by him for three years as he fought fires in the forests of the northwest. The only wound in the weekend is the lack of his best man--a brother whose murder is still unsolved. It's unfinished business that haunts him, keeping him from truly moving on.

Liza Beaumont, long time Deep Haven artist is a survivor of a brutal grizzly attack. Struggling with nightmares, she's not sure she's ready to join Conner's world. He's a hero, yes, but his life is rife with danger and stress and frankly she's not sure she has the courage to be the wife of a man who may not come home again.

When Liza's wedding invitation unearths a witness in his brother's murder, Conner's hope of solving the case is reignited. Suddenly, it's a choice between showing up to help Liza knit together their perfect day--or tracking down his brother's killer. But when his investigation finds its way to Deep Haven, and Liza's life is threatened, there may not be a wedding at all.

What happens when the smokejumpers from Montana Fire come to Deep Haven? Sparks, fire and hopefully...a happy ending.

Why I need it...

It's Susan May Warren... enough said, lol.  I loved the Montana Fire series and am really excited to read more about these characters.

What book are you waiting on?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Review: Just a Kiss (A Summer Harbor Novel) by Denise Hunter

Summary:

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are ruined when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he’s adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into unchartered territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

Four Stars

I have no idea why it took me so long to get to reading Just a Kiss. Denise Hunter is one of my all time favorite authors, plus I've been really looking forward to Riley and Paige's story since the very first book in this series. I have no excuses, so I'll just get on with my thoughts for this book.

What can I say about Riley? He's just such a likable guy and I was always rooting for him. After he comes back from Afghanistan wounded, he hides his pain and frustration behind smiles and jokes, but he's really hurting inside. His pride and dignity are wounded and he hates asking for help. He's independent and stubborn, which is not a great combination at the moment. And he's sure not happy when he finds out Paige, his best friend and girl he's secretly in love with, will be the one helping take care of him.

Paige is a great friend. She's strong and even when everything seems to be piling up on her, she takes it in stride and does her very best to get the job done. When she's informed the shelter will most likely be closing, she does everything in her power to stop that from happening. I really admired her commitment and love for her job, the shelter, and the animals, plus her allegiance to Riley in the midst of all her own struggles.

Just a Kiss was another fantastic contemporary romance from Denise Hunter. It was great to go back to Summer Harbor and catch up with the Callahan clan. And I was so happy to finally learn all about the history between Miss Trudy and Sheriff Colton. Even though this is book three, it can totally standalone. If you haven't read the first two books, I don't believe you'd be lost at all. I highly recommend and can't wait to read whatever comes next from Denise Hunter!

Books in this series:

• Falling Like Snowflakes
• The Goodbye Bride
• Just a Kiss

To learn more about this author, visit her website here.

Book Beginnings: Just a Kiss (A Summer Harbor Novel) by Denise Hunter

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, along with your initial thoughts/impressions. 

This week I'm featuring Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

Paige Warren checked her watch, then peeked around Miss Trudy's silver head for the dozenth time.  Riley's plane had landed, and the steady stream of passengers moving toward Bangor Airport's baggage claim had begun to dwindle.

My thoughts:

Where's Riley?  What's going on?  I've been looking forward to Riley's story since first meeting him in Falling Like Snowflakes, so I'm super interested to know what's going on with him.

What's the first line (or so) of the book you're currently reading?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Waiting on Wednesday: Fatal Mistake (White Knights #1) by Susan Sleeman

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm featuring Fatal Mistake (White Knights #1) by Susan Sleeman, releasing May 9.

Summary

An FBI agent must protect the woman who can identify a terrorist bomber in bestselling author Susan Sleeman's riveting romantic suspense novel.

Each day could be her last...but not if he can help it.

Tara Parrish is the only person ever to survive an attack by the Lone Wolf bomber. Scared and emotionally scarred by her near death, she goes into hiding with only one plan--to stay alive for another day. She knows he's coming after her, and if he finds her, he will finish what he started.

Agent Cal Riggins has had only one goal for the past six months--to save lives by ending the Lone Wolf's bombing spree. To succeed, he needs the help of Tara Parrish, the one person who can lead them to the bomber. Cal puts his all into finding Tara, but once he locates her, he realizes if he can find her, the Lone Wolf can, too. He must protect Tara at all costs, and they'll both need to resist the mutual attraction growing between them to focus on hunting down the bomber, because one wrong move could be fatal.

Why I need it...

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres and as soon as I read the summary for Fatal Mistake, I knew I had to read it!  I've never read anything by Susan Sleeman, but I've heard so many great things about her books and can't wait to try out this one!


What book are you 'waiting' on?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Review: The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson

Summary:

When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience?

Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact.

And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

Four Stars

I'm a huge fan of Rachael Anderson and have loved everything I've read of hers, so I've been super eager to check out her new foray into regency romance. (She usually writes contemporary). And let me say, The Fall of Lord Drayson did not disappoint.

Lucy Beresford's parents always told her never to tell a lie. And she never did tell an outright lie (maybe some creative truth telling here and there) until the day Colin Cavendish informs her that he is selling Tanglewood, the property Lucy and her mother currently reside, and they have two months to vacate the premises. When Colin bumps his head and forgets who he is, Lucy intends on teaching him a lesson he won't soon forget, but along the way it's Lucy who learns a valuable lesson, as well.

Lucy's a bit of an eccentric, not conforming to the societal norms of what a lady of quality should/shouldn't do, like helping clean the house and tending to her garden. But she's got such a tender heart and good soul. Colin doesn't make the best first impression. He seems cold, pompous, and selfish, but he really redeems himself quite fast and shows the caring and funny guy he actually is. The witty banter between Lucy and Colin started from their very first conversation and continued throughout the entire book. I've gotta say though, that my two favorite characters were Georgy and Mr. Shepherd. They added a lot to the story and I wouldn't have minded even more of the loyal friend or the reclusive old scholar.

I know when I pick up a Rachael Anderson book it will always be a clean romance of the highest quality. The Fall of Lord Drayson was a nice trip to regency England that I enjoyed very much. I look forward to the next book in this series, The Rise of Miss Notley.

Books in this series:

• The Fall of Lord Drayson (Tanglewood #1)
• The Rise of Miss Notley (Tanglewood #2)
• The Splash of Lady Harriett (Tanglewood #3)

To learn more about this author, visit her website here.

Killer Jam (A Dewberry Farm Mystery #1) by Karen MacInerney

Summary:

When Houston reporter Lucy Resnick cashes in her retirement to buy her grandmother’s farm in Buttercup, Texas, she’s looking forward to a simple life as a homesteader. But Lucy has barely finished putting up her first batch of Killer Dewberry Jam when an oil exploration truck rolls up to the farm and announces plans to replace her broccoli patch with an oil derrick. Two days later, Nettie Kocurek, the woman who ordered the drilling, turns up dead at the Founders’ Day Festival with a bratwurst skewer through her heart and one of Lucy’s jam jars beside her…and the sheriff fingers Lucy as the prime suspect.

Horrified, Lucy begins to talk to Nettie’s neighbors, but the more she gets to know the townspeople, the more she realizes she’s not the only one who had a beef with Nettie. Can she clear her name, or will her dream life turn into a nightmare?

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

Four Stars

Lucy Resnick goes from big city reporter to small town homesteader when she buys her grandparents old farm. Her lifelong dream hits a snag, though, when she finds out that the woman she bought the house from, Nettie Kocurek, kept the mineral rights and plans to set up an oil rig right in the middle of Lucy's farm. Things get even worse when Nettie's found murdered just a couple days later, making Lucy the prime suspect.

Buttercup was a charming small town, but like most small towns, news travels fast, gossip faster, everybody knows everybody else, and newcomers are looked at with suspicion. And since Lucy's the newest resident of Buttercup, she's automatically prime suspect number one when Nettie's killed, even though there were many, many people who had their own motives to off the loathsome old lady.

I loved the animals in this book; Blossom the cow formerly know as #82, what a mischievous one she is, lol, and Chuck the adorable apricot poodle who reminds me of one of my dogs.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It kept me guessing about who the culprit was. I thought I knew who did it, but I wasn't 100 percent sure because there were so many viable suspects. I also really liked getting a peek into Lucy's new homesteading way of life. There were times, though, when things were repeated quite often, even right after it was first mentioned, which got kinda annoying. Other than that, I loved Killer Jam and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Fatal Frost.

Books in this series:

• Killer Jam (A Dewberry Farm Mystery #1)
• Fatal Frost (A Dewberry Farm Mystery #2)

To learn more about this author, visit her website here.