Review: Rescuer (Heroes of Renegade Book 5) by Dana R. Lynn

SYNOPSIS

Some rescues require risking everything—including your heart.

Special education teacher Mia Turner never wanted to return to Renegade, especially not to face Jackson Stewart—the man who shattered her heart and abandoned her in her darkest hour. But when her students start disappearing and a shadowy foundation's "youth camp" becomes ground zero for a dangerous plot, she has no choice but to trust the one man she swore she'd never forgive.

When the past collides with a deadly present, survival depends on forgiveness.

Paramedic Jackson Stewart will do anything to find his missing brother Dylan, even work with the woman who decimated his heart. But as dangerous secrets surface in Renegade, Jackson must face the possibility that finding his brother means confronting not just his painful past with Mia, but a conspiracy that could destroy everything he's fought to protect.

In a town where secrets kill and trust is a luxury they can't afford, love might be the only thing that can save them all.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this second-chance romance. Full of suspense, depth, and a great message of faith, I had a hard time putting it down.

I really liked Mia and Jackson. They had a past. A not so great one. There was a lot of history and hurt between them. Things ended badly, to put it mildly. There was a lot for them to work through, but I was rooting for them the whole time.

There were quite a bit of revelations and progress made with the Shadow Syndicate. I’m very curious where things will go next.

This ended up being a beautiful story of redemption and reconciliation. I really enjoyed my time reading it. I thought it handled some of the more serious topics with grace. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense with a strong inspirational thread. I’m looking forward to 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.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Rescuer (Heroes of Renegade Book 5) by Dana R. Lynn

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 Rescuer (Heroes of Renegade Book 5) by Dana R. Lynn 

SYNOPSIS

Some rescues require risking everything—including your heart.

Special education teacher Mia Turner never wanted to return to Renegade, especially not to face Jackson Stewart—the man who shattered her heart and abandoned her in her darkest hour. But when her students start disappearing and a shadowy foundation's "youth camp" becomes ground zero for a dangerous plot, she has no choice but to trust the one man she swore she'd never forgive.

When the past collides with a deadly present, survival depends on forgiveness.

Paramedic Jackson Stewart will do anything to find his missing brother Dylan, even work with the woman who decimated his heart. But as dangerous secrets surface in Renegade, Jackson must face the possibility that finding his brother means confronting not just his painful past with Mia, but a conspiracy that could destroy everything he's fought to protect.

In a town where secrets kill and trust is a luxury they can't afford, love might be the only thing that can save them all.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Jackson Stewart tore up the steps and into the courthouse, dirty and smelling of blood and sweat. Gavin, the guard inside the courthouse, shot up from his chair, his eyes locked on the dark blood stains that smeared Jackson's light-gray uniform. 

Friday 56

He revved the engine and shifted into Drive, then they left the parking lot without looking back. She could almost feel the accusing glares on the back of her head.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Stargazers by Ava Lauren Grayson

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 Stargazers by Ava Lauren Grayson releasing September 15.

SYNOPSIS

THE ASTRONAUT. Sixteen-year-old blue-haired JULIA MASTROFF fears nothing, except not living up to the memory of her heroic astronaut father.

THE MECHANIC. KY NOLAN wants nothing more than to escape his criminal past, but to do that, he has to betray the one he loves most.

THE AEROSPACE ENGINEER. Daughter of a decorated military officer, NATALIE DÍAZ, might be a genius when it comes to engineering, but even better, she’s a survivor.

THE ASTRONOMER. MILO FRY has one goal in life…okay maybe two: 1) to stay alive, and 2) to become the greatest young scientist of his time. From the safety of Earth.

Attending an elite NASA training program, the American Space Academy, Julia Mastroff, Ky Nolan, Natalie Díaz, and Milo Fry are invited to be the newest members of The Stargazers Project, a top secret program that creates working teenage astronauts.

On a test mission, The Stargazers’s space shuttle is sucked into a portal and they crash on a magical planet with a past of its own. Now stranded somewhere in the universe and threatened by fae hunters, unidentified creatures, and secrets beyond their imagination, they must find a way to survive or a way to get back home.

But it gets even more complicated when Julia is saved by a Luarian hunter and she discovers she has magical abilities she did not possess before. With love entanglements and betrayals, The Stargazers must survive the creatures hunting them and unravel the mystery of the truth behind The Stargazers Project. Julia can’t and won’t leave Luella until she finds out exactly what her destiny is.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall

SYNOPSIS

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings—a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf—set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir—one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery—where the final battle may not be what it seems.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

It’s not often that I want to go back and immediately reread a book right after I’ve finished it, but that’s exactly what happened with Worlds Collide. What an intricate, compelling, and just downright fantastic start to this sci-fi series. I loved it so much!

The worldbuilding is stunning. So complex and detailed. It follows five different characters on five different worlds. I was afraid that with all the characters and information that I might feel overwhelmed and not be able to keep things straight, but that wasn’t the case at all. It was fascinating learning about everything. And I really enjoyed reading about each of the characters and their world. But I think my favorite was TOM. I won’t say much, but his story was so fascinating.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It’s one of the best books I’ve read, not just this year, but maybe ever. I can’t say enough good things about it. If you’re a fan of this genre, don’t hesitate to grab a copy. You won’t be disappointed.

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: Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall

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 Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall. I was lucky enough to read an e-ARC of it and loved it! It's a definite contender for book of the year.

SYNOPSIS

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings—a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf—set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir—one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery—where the final battle may not be what it seems.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Song was the perfect warrior, a living weapon, forged by the fire of the Great Cosmic Dragon. She had dedicated her life to saving her world by destroying its enemies.

Friday 56

The smoke from the funeral pyre lifted into the night sky, fading into the distant stars.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: You Had Me at Bigfoot: A Daphne Drew Mystery by Nancy Campbell Allen

SYNOPSIS
Rookie journalist Daphne and war photographer Clark investigate a missing maid and rumors of Bigfoot sightings—uncovering danger, buried lies, and unexpected romance deep in the Pacific Northwest wilderness.

Rookie investigative journalist Daphne Drew is finally on assignment—though it’s not exactly the hard-hitting story she imagined. Sent to cover a high-society wedding at an opulent Pacific Northwest lodge, Daphne expects floral arrangements and champagne flutes, not whispered rumors of a missing maid . . . or reports of Bigfoot sightings.

She’s not alone. Tagging along is Clark Finklestine-Henry, a decorated war photographer with a haunted past—and a camera sharp enough to catch more than just candid reception shots. Together with their loyal dogs, Daphne and Clark begin to suspect something much darker is lurking in the forested shadows of the hotel grounds.

As wedding guests arrive and tension simmers beneath the surface, Daphne and Clark uncover a tangled web of lies, legends, and lost fortune—one that ties the vanished maid, some returning friends, and the infamous DB Cooper together in a mystery that’s anything but folklore.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I had a blast reading this fun and entertaining mystery. It had me laughing out loud in spots and putting my detective hat on in others.

Things got off to a bit of a rocky start between Daphne and Clark after a hilarious and slightly embarrassing first meeting. But I thought they made a great team after getting over that initial run in. I really liked them both. I loved Daphne’s aunt Hannah. She was quite the character. I also adored the dogs. It was great seeing Daphne warm up to them.

The mystery was good. I had my suspicions about who the guilty party was early on, but there were plenty of other suspects, which had me second-guessing things.

I was a little bummed that there wasn’t more Bigfoot, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. I really liked all the nods to Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo. I’m hoping there are many more books to come in this series. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

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

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murders in the Marquee (Murder Most Fowl Mysteries Book 1) by Dana Mentink

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 Murders in the Marquee (Murder Most Fowl Mysteries Book 1) by Dana Mentink releasing September 1.

SYNOPSIS

In this witty historical murder mystery set in a San Francisco hotel, an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths must uncover a killer before another guest checks out for good.

In 1905, the Grand Mallard Marquee is well known for its iconic style, as well as its daily duck parade. For Saul Niffler, a reformed jewel thief, working at the luxurious hotel offers a much-needed second chance. Staying out of trouble and in gainful employment is essential. Which makes seeing a body plummet from a penthouse window extra complicated.

Except…did he see it? There’s no body to be found, and Saul knows he should concentrate on his new duties as “Duck Commandant” rather than meddle. If only Kitty Rossi, a persistent young guest yearning to be a Pinkerton detective, would leave well enough alone. Kitty has already roped in Henry, the elevator man, to investigate suspicious goings-on around the hotel. And against his better judgment, Saul feels compelled to join them.

Between the mystery of Saul’s missing predecessor and a grisly discovery in a drain, all signs point to murder most fowl. And with a cold-blooded killer roaming the Marquee’s lavish corridors, keeping his job may be the least of Saul’s problems…

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?