A Couple of Novella Reviews: Initium by Natalie Walters & All the Moore by Toni Shiloh

About the Book

When an explosion rattled the cobblestone streets of Ireland in 1998, it left the CIA questioning one of their own, but Intel officer Tom Walsh refuses to believe his friend Sean is guilty. Tom is certain Sean wasn’t behind the misdirection of information that led to the deaths of dozens, but he’s missing and the CIA won’t go back to find him or the truth.

Unwilling to let Sean become a scapegoat for a botched mission, Tom quits the CIA and takes an unsanctioned contract job with the hopes of finding his friend and those responsible for the deadly attack. But when the new mission goes awry, Tom finds himself in a battle against an Irish dissident paramilitary group determined to strike again.

With only a hunch to go on and a red-headed bartender’s help, Tom puts himself in the path of danger and discovers his own passion for stepping in where the government can’t.

Get ready for Lights Out with this glimpse into the life of the man behind the SNAP Agency and what pushed him to find a better way to strategically protect and neutralize threats against America and her citizens. In this fast-paced novella you’ll meet Director Walsh as he assembles his team: Jack Hudson, Lyla Fox, Nicolás Garcia, and Kekoa Young.

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

This prequel novella has me so excited for the full-length book. It describes how the SNAP Agency was formed. Part of it takes place in 1998 after a mission went bad and a team member gets left behind. It's this mission that gave Tom the idea for the SNAP Agency. Also interspersed between the details on that mission, we fast forward to seeing the creation of SNAP and how each team member joins the team. This was a stellar introduction. It's full of great characters that I instantly cared for and a fast-moving plot that kept me furiously turning the pages. I highly recommend it!

4.5 STARS

_____________________________

About the Book

Leilah Anderson has been living behind the screen to hide her disability. Everything she does can be done from the safety of her home in a remote setting. When she starts a friendship online, she never thought they'd see each other face-to-face.

Reggie Moore can't believe he gets the chance to finally meet his online friend and fellow gamer, Leilah. Yet she seems happy with the distance between them. When a job promotion comes with an opportunity to close the distance, Reggie takes it as a yes from God.

All the Moore is book two in the Something Borrowed collection.

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a heartwarming story full of hope and overcoming obstacles.

Leilah's been in a wheelchair for years now and has stayed isolated in her house, preferring to hide her disability and do everything online. She's able to teach online, attend a virtual church, and is an avid gamer. When an opportunity comes up for her to meet one of her online gamer friends in person, she's worried about how he'll react to her disability. Will he only see the chair and pity her, or will he look past it and see the amazing person that she is?

I immediately liked Leilah. She was genuine, kind, and a great friend. I loved watching her let her guard down and try new things. She's an inspiration, for sure. Reggie was such a nice guy, so sincere and sweet. They had such great chemistry, and I loved their playful banter. I really enjoyed getting to know them.

4.5 STARS

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Heart of Stone (The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #6) by David James 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.

This week I'm featuring Heart of Stone, the conclusion to the True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series by David James Warren.

About the Book

Rembrandt Stone has nothing left to lose…or does he?

Detective Rembrandt Stone doesn’t recognize himself in the mirror. Doesn’t recognize the world he’s returned to. Doesn’t even know his own name. But he knows one thing…living in this world is impossible.

Good thing he has an ally—an unexpected friend from the past. And together, they just might be able to unravel the entire mess. But first…Rembrandt will have to return to the past one final time and intercept himself before he makes a lethal mistake.

Time has outwitted him. It’s time for him to outwit time. Can he reconstruct a past he just destroyed or is there nothing left of his world to save?

Book Beginnings

They say that without hope, people perish.

I say hope crushes the soul.

Friday 56

Why would she park on the street two blocks away from HQ instead of the ramp? Her father was always hounding her to use the basement tunnels, for safety.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson

About the Book

In this Gothic Regency romance Rebecca fears she has developed feelings for the man she swore to see hanged, her brother's murderer.

After her brother’s mysterious death, Rebecca Hunter vows to expose the man she believes responsible: Mr. Lewis Browning—known by the locals as the Midnight Devil and by Rebecca as her new guardian.

Summoned to his reclusive country estate to await her London season, Rebecca plans her own secret investigation among the darkened corridors of the mysterious Greybourne Hall. Yet Lewis Browning is not as she once imagined, and his motivation is horribly unclear. Recurrent nightmares and Rebecca’s restless feelings are further complicated by the shadow of her mother’s prior descent into madness and wondering if she, too, will follow the same heartbreaking path.

Even as midnight rides, strange injuries, and further murders lead back to Mr. Browning, Rebecca can’t ignore the subtle turn of her heart. Has she fallen for the man she swore would pay for her brother’s death? And moreover, can she trust him with her uncertain future?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this gothic regency romance. It gripped me from the very beginning, completely immersing me in the story, and never let go.

The characters were great. Lewis had me so intrigued. He had such a horrible reputation. The townspeople avoided him at all costs, yet he was so sweet and charming whenever he appeared on the page. Were the rumors about him true? I was very curious about where that bad reputation came from.

Rebecca was feisty, courageous, and stubborn. I will say that there were a few times I got really frustrated with her, though. She'd stubbornly not listen to the wise advice from those around her and would actually do the exact opposite, which, inevitably, led to her finding herself in dangerous situations. I wanted to shake some sense into her sometimes.

My favorite characters were probably Aunt Jo and Sophie. Aunt Jo was loving and such a great companion and Sophie was pretty much the best kind of dog you could ask for.

This first book I've read by Abigail Wilson certainly won't be my last. I'm very much looking forward to reading more from her. If you're a fan of mystery-filled historical romances that feature a slow-building romance, I highly recommend this novel.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Stone (The Metcalfes #1) by Ronie Kendig

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 Stone (The Metcalfes #1) by Ronie Kendig releasing January 6, 2022. 

About the Book

She cost him everything. Now, he’s forced to protect her.

Stone Metcalfe embodies the Metcalfe legacy—blue eyes, an unfair amount of good looks, and hardcore patriot-laced character. But a foolish lapse in judgment dismantles his name and career. Humiliated and furious, he retreats to his mountain lodge to hide from media hounds and eke out a new life. However, one phone call from an old Army buddy upends Stone’s best-laid plans.

Supermodel Brighton Buchanan had designers and men eating out of her hand until a terrible mistake trapped her in the soul-eating world of human trafficking. Years later, she is used by her captors to take down the best man she’s ever known. The man she loves. Hope lost, she’s unexpectedly freed—and thrown back into Stone’s life. Being forgiven is out of the question considering how much he hates her.

Believing danger and her are one wrong move away, Brighton will do anything to keep him from being ruined again—even if it means going back to that life. As everything is falling apart and threats mount against Brighton, Stone realizes forgiveness is the easy part. Protecting her—and his heart—is another story.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Legacy of Lies (Fog Lake Suspense #5) by Christy Barritt

About the Book

The justice system failed her family—and so did her hometown.

Madison Colson knows deep down that her father—a convicted serial killer—is innocent. But believing it and proving it are two entirely different things. Unable to help her father, Madison has spent most of her adult life overcompensating by helping others. When her aunt dies unexpectantly, duty calls her back to Fog Lake, Tennessee, a beautiful but painful place she’d rather forget.

Terrifying events begin to unfold once she arrives, unleashing her worst nightmares. The Good Samaritan Killer—or a copycat—is back, and now Madison Colson is his target.

FBI Special Agent Shane Townsend is determined to stop the deadly rampage that has sent the tightknit community into a frenzy. But he needs to earn Madison’s trust first. The task feels impossible, especially considering his father is the one who put her dad in prison.

With the whole town on edge and pointing fingers, tension escalates out of control. Madison and Shane must sort the facts from the lies—and fight for a legacy of truth—before The Good Samaritan Killer has the final say.

Amazon / Goodreads

Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting

MY THOUGHTS

Legacy of Lies was another good mystery from Christy Barritt. This series is a little darker than her norm, but it's just as good. This book gave us a few peeks into the first-person perspective of the killer, which added even more chills. So creepy!

The action starts right at the very beginning and just keeps ramping up. It features a solid mystery with lots of suspense that kept me guessing. I read the majority of it in one afternoon; I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed this return visit to Fog Lake and am looking forward to visiting again. Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense!

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson

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.

This week I'm featuring Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson.

About the Book

In this Gothic Regency romance Rebecca fears she has developed feelings for the man she swore to see hanged, her brother's murderer.

After her brother’s mysterious death, Rebecca Hunter vows to expose the man she believes responsible: Mr. Lewis Browning—known by the locals as the Midnight Devil and by Rebecca as her new guardian.

Summoned to his reclusive country estate to await her London season, Rebecca plans her own secret investigation among the darkened corridors of the mysterious Greybourne Hall. Yet Lewis Browning is not as she once imagined, and his motivation is horribly unclear. Recurrent nightmares and Rebecca’s restless feelings are further complicated by the shadow of her mother’s prior descent into madness and wondering if she, too, will follow the same heartbreaking path.

Even as midnight rides, strange injuries, and further murders lead back to Mr. Browning, Rebecca can’t ignore the subtle turn of her heart. Has she fallen for the man she swore would pay for her brother’s death? And moreover, can she trust him with her uncertain future?

Book Beginnings (From the Prologue)

1811

The Scottish Highlands

"Who's there?" My mother's haunted whisper drew me to her bedside. Sickness clung to the air around her bed as grief entombed the space.

Friday 56

I swallowed what I'd observed beyond that window like bitter medicine, and I remained silent throughout a tight-lipped dinner with Aunt Jo as well as long into the quiet hours of the night, unable to give voice to the stormy thoughts circling my mind. Only in my bedchamber, tucked away from the prying eyes of the house, did I allow the images to resurface.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks

About the Book

A woman off the grid.

Darby Graham thinks she's on a much-needed vacation in remote Idaho to relax. But before she even arrives at the ranch, an earthquake strikes—her first clue that something is amiss. Then when a cabin on the edge of town is engulfed in flames and problems at the ranch escalate, Darby finds herself immersed in a chilling mystery.

A town on fire.

A serial arsonist sends taunting letters to the press after each fire. As a forensic linguist, this is Darby’s area of expertise . . . but the scars it’s caused her also the reason she’s trying to escape from her life.

A growing darkness.

As the shadows continue to move in, the pieces of the town around her come into sharper focus. Can she trust the one man who sees her clearly?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was an action-packed and suspense-filled read that had me glued to the pages. I can't believe it's the first book I've read by this author. What was I thinking taking so long to try one of her books? I'm kicking myself because I enjoyed this so much.

It seemed like anything and everything that could go wrong at the Ranch did go wrong. Were all the various 'mishaps' strokes of bad luck, or were they deliberate acts of sabotage? And if so, why? I was so invested in finding out what was really going on. I was surprised quite a few times. And I could not figure out who the guilty party was. I was pretty much suspicious of everybody, but could never actually nail down the culprit. I love it when I can be kept guessing like that.

The Ranch is close to the Yellowstone caldera, so that added an interesting element to the story. As did Darby's profession as a forensic linguist. I didn't know anything about that job beforehand, so it was fascinating reading about what all that entailed.

I highly recommend this book to suspense and mystery fans. It was so good! I'm definitely eager to read more from this author.

FOUR STARS