Monday, October 30, 2023

Cold Pursuit

Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son, who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.

But as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. As River and Tony race to stop him before he kills again, an even more dangerous threat emerges, stirring up the past that haunts River and plotting an end to her future.

My thoughts: I have read and enjoyed just about every book that Nancy Mehl has written, so I was looking forward to reading this new series by her. It did not disappoint! I love that the main characters are former FBI profiles (her past two series have been about FBI profilers, and have been excellent!) that have started their own PI firm after a traumatic experience with a serial killer. Which, that will be an ongoing thread in the series.
My heart went out to the mom who is looking for closure about her missing son. As the pieces start to come together, River and Tony find out that being Private Investigators might not be any safer than their previous jobs.
I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Voice of the Ancient

"A stunning coming-of-age tale."--MESU ANDREWS, Christy Award-winning author of Isaiah's Daughter

As the eldest son of a Levite and a Philistine, Avidan is torn between his duty to his family legacy and the desire for something more. After an enemy attack strikes close to home, he takes the opportunity to fight with his cousins for the newly crowned King Saul. But when one of the cousins goes missing during the battle, Avidan refuses to leave him behind.

Keziah is the daughter of one of the most powerful clan chiefs in the territory of Manasseh. On the brink of a forced marriage to a loathsome man decades older than her, she has no choice but to run, hoping to find sanctuary with her mother's family.

United during their journeys and battling to survive the dangers that surround them, Avidan and Keziah make a pact to travel together. As challenges pile up, they must not only rely on each other to stay alive but also learn to trust the true and eternal King of Israel to guide their every step.

My thoughts: We just went through the story of Saul and David in the adult Sunday School class at my church, so it was still fresh in my mind when I picked this book. I enjoyed the rich history that Connilynn Cossette has in her stories, and especially in this one. I can only imagine what it would have been like to live in the days of Samuel and Saul. So much tumult and change as the people decide they want a king to lead them. I look forward to seeing where this series goes!

I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater

It promises beauty but steals life instead. Will the ghosts of Barlowe Theater entomb them all?

Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy's eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta's younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.

Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater's curse unravels Kit's life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.

My thoughts: I'm not usually one for wanting to be scared or anything creepy, but I have read all of Jaime Jo Wright's books and found that they are the perfect read for this time of year! I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story. It was truly sinister to have people disappear in the early days of the theater and then in modern times. Greta and Kit both feel like they must race against the clock in order to save those they love.
The suspense in this story kept me up late reading to figure out what happened! I thought that the history was interesting, and loved the historical notes at the end. Whether you like to be slightly terrified or just enjoy a good, historical read, this book is an excellent one to pick up.

I received this book from Bethany House publishers. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor

Two women--a century apart--embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.

In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she's left searching for answers.

In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

My thoughts: I always love a good duel timeline story! I enjoyed both of the stories in this book, though I favored Charlotte's more, since it had more depth to it. My mother's heart felt bad for her, as she shoulders the secret of her father's that she uncovers after his untimely death. I can only imagine how that would color life.
I hadn't read much about the Lake District of England, so I enjoyed the setting and looking up pictures of the area. This story has me wanting to visit there now!
This is a well written story with a beautiful message of faith and hope.

I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

How to Plot a Payback

He crossed an ocean, and it still wasn't enough to escape his lifelong nemesis. Now he has to work with her.

Successful screenwriter Finn Masters just landed his dream job writing for Neighbors, one of Hollywood's highest-rated, longest-running sitcoms. The only downside? It will put him back in proximity of the show's universally adored, optimistic, altruistic star, Lavender Rhodes, who has been inadvertently ruining his life since they were school chums in England. But she doesn't even know she destroyed his acting career and wrecked his relationship with the love of his life.

He's not about to let this woman yank yet another dream out from under his feet. In fact, he realizes he's been given the ideal opportunity to plot his payback: spinning her character in shocking new directions.

What could go wrong? Only everything. As Finn's not-so-brilliant plot backfires one scene after the next, catching him in the blasts, he's forced to think about this impossible, infuriating... and maybe even lovable woman in an entirely new light.

Bestselling author Melissa Ferguson is back with a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy for the stars.

This book is so adorable! I loved the characters. Finn Masters has kept a list of everything that Lavender Rhoads has ruined in his life, starting with the moment she took his place in their high school play and wound up in Hollywood as a result. But, when the chance of a lifetime comes in the form of writing for the TV show, he can't pass it up. Even if it means writing for Lavender's character.

This book is such a cute romcom, with likeable characters and funny mishaps. I enjoyed the grump/sunshine storyline. If you are looking for a book that will brighten your day, pick this one up!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

The Mermaid's Tale

A Tail Could Tell a Tale

Locklyn Adair has never fit in. The legs she inherited as a result of her great-great-grandmother’s curse make it impossible for her to belong under the sea. When her niece is also born without a tail, Locklyn is determined to save her from similar rejection by sending her to the only place in the Undersea Realm where legs are acceptable – the Lost Island of Atlantis.

Darin Aalto would do anything to protect his family, even spearheading an impossible quest to find treasure that has been lost for over a hundred years. But when his best friend, Locklyn, joins his crew, his ability to keep her safe—and his shot at winning her heart—comes perilously close to being swept away.

A family curse, lost treasure, unrequited love, and a race against time intertwine as Locklyn and Darin seek to save their family, their kingdom, and eventually the entire Undersea Realm without losing each other.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would! The author does a wonderful job of world building. I thought that it was interesting to have the twist where Locklyn and her niece have been cursed to be mermaids with legs instead of tails. The lengths that Locklyn goes to in order to help her niece not live life as an outcast are epic. My only complaint is that this book ends on a cliffhanger. I look forward to the next book in this series and can't recommend it enough!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

L.E. Richmond was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest by an American composition teacher and a German bookseller. Her childhood consisted in a large part of imagining stories for her Playmobil characters and checking out as many books from the library as her family could fit on six library cards. Now she spends her time chasing two blonde baby boys, reading aloud to the hazel-eyed young man who has her heart, and attempting to transfer the stories in her head into words for others. Her passion is for words and stories that thrill the soul and she is continually amazed by the One who crafted the most epic story of all time.

More from L.E.

I am a discovery writer, so when I first started The Mermaid’s Tale, I knew only the general plot and that the romance would be between the main character and the older brother of her brother-in-law.

The catalyst for this choice came from a novel published in England in 1815.

Darin Aalto, famous treasure hunting Merman from the Mediterranean, was inspired by none other than Mr. Knightley from Shropshire. He, like Jane Austen’s hero, is kind, experienced, confident, and attentive to the needs of others. On the other hand, my heroine, Locklyn Adair, is not much like Emma Wodehouse, struggling with a lack of confidence rather than the overabundance which plagues the young mistress of Hartfield.

Even though Locklyn differs greatly from Emma in temperament, she shares one marked similarity with her – a deep devotion to her sister’s children. In fact, it is to save her niece from the rejection which legs bring to Mermaids that leads Locklyn to encourage Darin to claim a disputed treasure which in turn leads to hostility from the warrior queen of a neighboring kingdom which leads to a duel to the death which leads to . . . You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Blog Stops

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 19

Madi’s Musings, October 19

By the Book, October 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 21

Denise L. Barela, October 21

Texas Book-aholic, October 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 23

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 25

Inklings and Notions, October 26

Life, Love, Writing, October 27

Blogging With Carol, October 27

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 28

Labor Not in Vain, October 29

Holly’s Book Corner, October 30

Simple Harvest Reads, October 31 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 1 (Author Interview)

Of Blades and Thorns, November 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, L.E. is giving away the grand prize package of hardcover copy of The Mermaid’s Tale and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/28799/the-mermaid-s-tale-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, October 23, 2023

Children of the Shadows

Children of the Shadows JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Children of the Shadows
Series: Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries #3
Author: Erica Vetsch
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: October 23, 2023
Genre: Christian Regency Mystery

Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery--while trying to keep their growing romance secret.

Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing--and even if they are noticed, who will care?

Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he's still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They're on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing.

But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel's past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate--or lose everything.

Erica Vetsch's popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.

My thoughts: I have enjoyed every one of Erica Vetsch's books, and have particularly enjoyed how this series has progressed! I would recommend reading the books in order, since the story makes more sense that way, though this one can be enjoyed as a stand alone. It's just interesting to read about how Juliette and Daniel got to the points they are at in the beginning of this story.
A lot is going on: with Daniel and his past, then Lady Juliette facing choices about her future. The suspense is spot on. I enjoyed how the characters develop throughout this story. I enjoyed the different look at this point in history, with Juliette's world clashing a bit with helping the street children.
I highly recommend picking this book up! I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

About the Author

Erica Vetsch

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Connect with Erica by visiting ericavetsch.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a complete paperback set of the Thorndike and Swann series, and a $10 amazon gift card

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 23, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Royal and Ancient

Bronwyn Campbell's end-of-summer plans were simple: wrap up her job at Saint Andrews Country Club, meet her friends one last time at the virtual reality arcade, and move across the country—again—with her father. But when lightning strikes while she's working the club's Saint Andrews Heritage Day, she's transported from an American fairway to the home of golf, The Links at St. Andrews, in Scotland—and in the year 1691, no less.

When Iain MacDonald discovers Bronwyn knocked out cold on the seventeenth green, little does he know their meeting would change not only the course of their lives but the course of history. The son of the chieftain of Clan MacDonald, Iain bears the weight of responsibility for his family and his clan's survival on his shoulders. Family drama and the growing discord over religion in Scotland add to the heavy load he carries daily while stepping further into his role as future chieftain.

As political events between England and Scotland heighten the conflict surrounding the MacDonald lands, Bronwyn and Iain rely upon their shared faith and growing feelings toward each other for survival. Amid the questions that plague both of them, though, one stands out: How can you be with the one you love if your choice ultimately influences history?

My thoughts: I always enjoy a good story about time travel! Royal and Ancient is a fun one, since Bronwyn is sent back to the late 1600's to the very place that she works in modern times. I thought the author did a great job of writing how confusing that could be to both the person sent back in time and those who meet that person. There were some funny mix ups as Bronwyn learns to communicate with those around her.
The history in this story is interesting, and I appreciated how Bronwyn grows as a character and in her faith as the story progresses. I was a little surprised with some of the plot twists, but there were some good surprises. Overall, this is a wonderful book for both teens and adults!
I received a copy of this book from White House publishing. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here.

Purchase a copy here. This post contains affiliate links.

Thursday, October 19, 2023