Review: The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson

About the Book

Three legendary origins of power. Two royal bloodlines. One deadly curse.

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. A season of poison infects the air, earth, and water with increasing deadliness each year, and a deep love of gold and power infects the failing mind of the king. His only daughter and first in line to the throne, Princess Seren, lives in tightly controlled isolation. When she is suddenly thrust into royal society, she struggles to hide the strain of untamed magic awakening in her blood.

Seren’s newly appointed personal guard, Sir Corin, resents the exile of his people. As heir to a long-banished line of succession and the last of the land’s legendary protectors, he holds no loyalty for the current royal family and their history of unhinged cruelty.

As death steals over the kingdom and the schemes at court grow deadlier, the princess and the guard are forced to face their fears, their troubled pasts, and the cost of personal freedom.

The Star-Blessed is a reimagining and reinventing of two fairy tales: “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Cat-Skin” by the Brothers Grimm.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I always love a good fairytale retelling and I really enjoyed this one. This story reimagines Rumpelstiltskin and Catskin. I’m not familiar with Catskin, but Rumpelstiltskin is a favorite. I enjoyed seeing the nods to it.

I instantly felt for Seren. She was put in a new and stressful position. I thought she handled herself well, and I admired her strength and courage in the face of such daunting situations. I loved seeing her character growth throughout the story.

I was intrigued by Corin. There was a mysterious air about him, and I couldn’t figure out what to think of him at first. But I enjoyed getting to know him better.

There were some parts of the book that were unsettling and dark, but I thought it showed that Light will always overcome the darkness.

I became completely immersed in this story world. There were a few massive twists that I never saw coming. I was shocked! I look forward to reading more from Angie Dickinson. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

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

FOUR STARS

Review: Renegade (Heroes of Renegade Book 1) by Susan May Warren

SYNOPSIS

★ He was supposed to be dead. She was supposed to move on. Some loves won't stay buried. ★

The last person Sierra Blackwood expects to see is the man whose memorial service she attended three years ago.

For ten years, she's raised their son alone, told him his father died a hero, and built a life from the ashes of broken promises. Now Rowan "Hammer" Wallace is back—no explanation, no apology, just those devastating blue eyes and a presence that fills every empty space she's tried to heal.

He doesn't know about the boy. And she doesn't know if she can survive losing him again.

But there's no time for second chances when a killer has you in their crosshairs.

Someone wants Sierra's ranch—and they're willing to burn down everything she loves to get it. Poisoned livestock. Mysterious fires. And when armed men kidnap Sierra and her ten-year-old son, Rowan must confront the violent stepfather who drove him away to save the family he never knew existed.

In the mountains of Colorado, the past never stays buried. And some men never stop fighting for what's theirs.

Perfect for fans of:

• Second-chance romance with heart
• Christian romantic suspense
• Cowboy heroes with dangerous pasts
• Small-town settings with big secrets
• Military romance/Wounded warrior stories
• Family drama and redemption arcs

Themes:
Faith Forgiveness Fatherhood Justice Homecoming Secrets & Lies Redemption Small-Town Community Ranch Life Overcoming the Past

Start the Heroes of Renegade series today and discover why readers can't get enough of this pulse-pounding romantic suspense!

Book 1 in Heroes of Renegade series. Complete story with HEA, but the series continues!

Amazon / Sunrise Publishing / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this book so much! It had everything I love in a good romantic suspense! It was so action-packed. There was cattle rustling, vandalism, theft, a dangerous killer, and so much more! I couldn’t read it fast enough.

I was so excited to learn more about the Trouble Boys. I’ve been curious about them for a while now.

Things were complicated between Sierra and Rowan, to say the least. He’s back from the dead and has to earn her trust back after such a huge deception. Then, add their son Huck to the mix, the son he didn’t know about, and yeah, complicated sums it up. I really liked them both, though, and thought Huck was an adorable kid. I was rooting for everything to work out.

The first chapter grabbed my attention immediately and didn’t let go until the final word. It was such a compelling read! If you’re a fan of faith-filled romantic suspense, run and grab a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed. I’m really looking for the next book in the series!

I received a 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: The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it! It does get a little dark in places, but it ended up being really good! 

About the Book

Three legendary origins of power. Two royal bloodlines. One deadly curse.

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. A season of poison infects the air, earth, and water with increasing deadliness each year, and a deep love of gold and power infects the failing mind of the king. His only daughter and first in line to the throne, Princess Seren, lives in tightly controlled isolation. When she is suddenly thrust into royal society, she struggles to hide the strain of untamed magic awakening in her blood.

Seren’s newly appointed personal guard, Sir Corin, resents the exile of his people. As heir to a long-banished line of succession and the last of the land’s legendary protectors, he holds no loyalty for the current royal family and their history of unhinged cruelty.

As death steals over the kingdom and the schemes at court grow deadlier, the princess and the guard are forced to face their fears, their troubled pasts, and the cost of personal freedom.

The Star-Blessed is a reimagining and reinventing of two fairy tales: “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Cat-Skin” by the Brothers Grimm.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

When my father puts his mind to something, it would be done.

Friday 56

I fell against the stone, gasping and staring at the pool.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Witness Protection by Robert Whitlow

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 Witness Protection by Robert Whitlow releasing April 7.

About the Book

Jon Tremaine has lived in hiding for years--will coming out of the shadows to help a friend be too great a risk? Perfect for fans of John Grisham and Charles Martin, Witness Protection is a legal drama with a deep undercurrent of faith.

All is finally good. Jon Tremaine has created a new life in Brunswick, Georgia, as part of the Federal Witness Protection program after testifying against the former drug cartel he was involved with. Only his wife, Sarah, and a handler with the US Marshal's office know his true identity, and he is now the manager of a large commercial tree farm with a baby on the way. But when one of Jon's employees is arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs into the United States, he goes against his better judgment and inserts himself in the middle of the case, believing the man is an unsuspecting mole manipulated by sophisticated drug dealers.

Kelli Quinn, a highly skilled litigator with an Atlanta law firm, has moved to Brunswick to work with her best friend from law school, hoping to rebuild her life after a painful divorce. She and her two children find a temporary home with her aunt Carly, a woman whose great faith is making an impression on her new houseguests. For the first time in a very long while, Kelli sees a future where she can find balance between the job she loves and the family she loves even more.

New to the firm and in need of clients, Kelli agrees to represent Jon's employee. The unfolding investigation reveals layers of criminal activity and possible connections to Jon's past, putting everyone at risk of exposure--and even death.

With its gripping pace, layered legal intrigue, and heartfelt exploration of faith under pressure, Witness Protection has already been praised by early readers as a standout Robert Whitlow novel--one that keeps the pages turning while asking deeper questions about courage, identity, and redemption. As danger closes in and past sins resurface, Whitlow expertly weaves suspense with grace, showing how even the safest hiding place can't protect the heart from truth.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: The Liar's Treasure (A Speranza Team Novel Book 2) by Connie Mann

SYNOPSIS

From the acclaimed author of Beyond Risk and The Crown Conspiracy, hailed as a “wild ride” by Library Journal, comes an action-packed adventure about a mysterious diary and a thrilling, high-stakes treasure hunt.

Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.

Romantic suspense perfect for fans of Susan May Warren, Dani Pettrey, and Fern Michaels. A clean, contemporary adventure with an international treasure hunt plot, a theme of mother-and-daughter relationships, and a dash of romance. 

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books A Million / ChristianBook.com / Kobo / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This book was so good! I loved The Crown Conspiracy, the first book in this series, and have been looking forward to the sequel for a while now. It did not disappoint. I loved it! It was so great to spend some more time with the Speranza Team.

While the prologue is set in the 1700s in Spain, the rest of the book is set in the present, and it really set the stage and hooked me immediately. 

There was a lot going on and a lot of people to follow, but it didn’t take me long before I was able to keep up with everything and everyone.

This was an incredibly compelling read. It was very fast-paced and hard to put down. There was a race against time as the hunt for the Book of Days and the Liar’s Treasure heated up. The action and suspense kept ramping up till the exciting conclusion.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I hope there are many more Speranza Team novels to come!

I received a 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: The Liar's Treasure (A Speranza Team Novel Book 2) by Connie Mann

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring The Liar's Treasure (A Speranza Team Novel Book 2) by Connie Mann. I'm almost finished with it and have really enjoyed it! The first snippet takes place in Spain in 1728, but the Friday 56 quote takes place in current times. 

SYNOPSIS

From the acclaimed author of Beyond Risk and The Crown Conspiracy, hailed as a “wild ride” by Library Journal, comes an action-packed adventure about a mysterious diary and a thrilling, high-stakes treasure hunt.

Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.

Romantic suspense perfect for fans of Susan May Warren, Dani Pettrey, and Fern Michaels. A clean, contemporary adventure with an international treasure hunt plot, a theme of mother-and-daughter relationships, and a dash of romance. 

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Cira tried to keep her balance on the rocking wooden deck of the Bartholomew, head down in seeming defeat, watching through hanks of her wet hair as the pirates pawed through the passengers' trunks, flinging belongings overboard.

Friday 56

His conscience twinged at what he was about to do, but he shoved the guilt away. Sometimes one had to make hard choices - for the greater good. 

What have you been reading lately?

Review: It Happened One Plight (Bobbi Sue Baxter Mysteries Book 4) by Marissa Shrock

About the Book

A first date. A shocking murder. And a conspiracy that could get her killed.

In the summer of 1988 in Wildcat Springs, Indiana, aspiring journalist Bobbi Sue Baxter is ready for a totally normal first date with the handsome Hemi Miller. But in her life, normal never seems to stick. Before they can finish their picnic, Bobbi Sue’s world is turned upside down. Her last summer at home has already been a whirlwind of secrets, but she never expected it to include a dead body in her dad's office.

The victim is Morris Fulton, a recently exonerated man her father helped free from prison. Now, the police are swarming, and their number one suspect is none other than Juanita St. James—Bobbi Sue’s mentor and the investigative reporter who inspired her. With Juanita framed and her own parents still missing, Bobbi Sue knows she can’t stand by and wait for the truth to surface. She has to find it herself.

Can she expose the real killer and clear her mentor's name before she becomes the next headline? Fans of nostalgic mysteries, plucky amateur sleuths, and small-town secrets will love this gripping fourth installment of the Bobbi Sue Baxter Mysteries.

Amazon / Kobo / Google Play / Smashwords / iBooks / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, so I was ecstatic when I saw this new installment. It did not disappoint. In fact, I think it’s my favorite of the series.

The mystery was really good and kept me guessing. The suspense kept building until the thrilling conclusion.

It was great seeing Bobbi Sue and Hemi finally go on their first date. And even though it didn’t exactly go as planned, it was great seeing their relationship progress.

I know I say this every book, but I love that this series is set in the 80s. It’s such a fun time! And I loved seeing Grandma again. She’s such a hoot!

I didn’t want this book to end. I loved it so much! If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy of this series. It’s fantastic!

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

FIVE STARS