Tag: Love Inspired Suspense

Cold Case Target + Giveaway

Caught in a serial killer’s deadly game with nowhere to turn…

Interrupting an attempted murder—and leaving with incriminating evidence—makes Sissy Spencer a serial killer’s next target. With a flash drive in her possession containing disturbing proof of multiple murders, Sissy has no choice but to trust her ex-boyfriend, private investigator Beau Brighton, to keep her safe. But can they unravel the clues and track down a killer…before he catches them first?

My Review:

Whoa…emotional overload and hair-raising angst…this must be a Jessica R. Patch romantic suspense novel! Be prepared for a reading (or in my case, listening) marathon, ’cause you’ll become so absorbed in the story you won’t want to break away until everything is resolved. And — phew — what a journey to that happily every after!

A second chance romance filled with trepidation. Sissy does not want anything to do with Beau Brighton. Period. But her brother has hired the man on as a private investigator for the family business and with a serial killer stalking her, no one is listening to Sissy’s protestations.

What she doesn’t understand is that Beau is a changed man. Transformed by faith and eager to make amends. These two clash and battle (well, that’s mostly Sissy) even as sparks fly and yearnings for ‘what might have been’ start to take hold. Only, these two have backstories that will break a sensitive reader’s heart so be prepared for some emotional turmoil. Love the honesty of their romance. It’s raw and real and punctuated with highs and lows. Hurt feelings. Unforgiveness. So many barriers stand between theses two and their second chance. Makes for the kind of read you feel your way through. Outstanding and, eventually, triumphant.

The suspense is the edge-of-your-seat, whiplash-inducing kind that’s impossible to put down. And, are we surprised (?), features a serial killer. Tense and spine tingling and that ending…..Wow, just…WOW!

This second book in the Texas Crimes Scene Cleaners series reads well as a standalone but I love the camaraderie among the Spencer siblings and the glimpse we are given into the lives of future series heroes and heroines. Can’t wait for book three to come out!

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition of this book and can’t gush enough over how excited I am that more and more Love Inspired Suspense novels are being made available in this format! Woot! Makes me one happy listener.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Cold Case Target, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 13 2024.

Tracking the Truth + Giveaway

To expose a suspect, he needs evidence…and a K-9’s instincts.

After Emery Duncan is abducted and dumped in a lake, private investigator Roman Wolfe and his bloodhound partner rescue her from an icy death. Someone doesn’t want Emery to find out what really happened the night her father confessed to attempted murder. To keep Emery and her baby nephew safe, they must uncover the connection between her father’s confession and the attack…or they’ll be silenced for good.

My Review:

Spectacularly brilliant!

Say what you will, but you’ll never convince me that Wally, the ‘nose with a dog attached’, isn’t the hero of this romantic suspense. Okay, maybe not in the romance department (though he is a lovable goofball) but definitely in every other way. Even if he has some unusual quirks that Roman can’t fix no matter how hard he tries. Mind you, without them Wally would just be your run-of-the-mill bloodhound. Instead he’s a one-of-a-kind rock star hound! Seriously, getting to meet Wally is worth the read.

And, yes, Roman makes a great straight man for Wally’s comedic schtick, but he’s also the perfect blend of flawed hero and knight in shining armour. And just the guy to help Emery out of a perilous situation that embroils them both in mystery and danger. Loved the way the author blends intrigue and romance while upping the suspense in tantalizing measures until — Whoooshhhh, it’s finally safe to let go of that pent-up breath!

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Tracking the Truth’ and thoroughly enjoyed Abby Craden’s narration. So thrilled that we are seeing more Love Inspired Suspense novels available in this format. I’m preordered all the way up to November and it’s such a bibliophile rush when I get the notification that a book is waiting for me!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Tracking the Truth, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 6 2024.

Kidnapping Cold Case + Giveaway

The key to staying alive is buried in forgotten memories.

Ten years ago, forensic artist Jacy Urban escaped her abductor with no memory of that night. Now two teenage girls are missing, and all signs indicate that the same kidnapper is back on the hunt. When Jacy is attacked, it’s clear she’s the assailant’s next target. Only Detective Cash Rawson is there to rescue her—again. Can Cash help Jacy recover her memories before she’s silenced for good?

My Review:

Whoa — the opening scene is spine-chilling! And the reader is kept on edge all the way through. Phew! Some intense moments and there’s a definite stalkerish vibe as well as relentless pursuit. So, seatbelts and crash helmets advised!

Jacy and Cash have a special connection from a decade ago and now they are thrown together in a bid to stop a killer…da da da da duuummmmm. Bwahaha! Scary good. Fast paced. Lots of action. Punctuated by sweet ‘getting to know you’ moments that lead to romance. This one is definitely an insta-love kind of story but it works. And I like the way the author winds everything up. We’re given longer than normal down time to let things settle and give Jacy and Cash a chance to start dating without bullets flying. 🙂

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith. She does a wonderful job with these characters. Loved her tone of voice and performance. I’m becoming quite the audio book connoisseur and this book was easy to listen to.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Kidnapping Cold Case , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 16 2024.

Lethal Mountain Pursuit + Giveaway

Hunted by a killer…with a K-9 standing guard.

After witnessing several murders, Natalie Pearson narrowly dodges death but knows the killer is still out there—searching for her. And even her sister’s remote cabin in the Smoky Mountains can’t keep her safe. After fleeing into the woods, she runs into former detective Andrew Moore and his K-9. Trusting Andrew is Natalie’s only chance for survival, but together they must outwit a relentless villain…before they become his final victims.

K-9 Search and Rescue

My Review:

Oh, the wonderful irony of naming a floofy Newfoundland dog Rambo. 🙂 This breed is known for their goofy adoration and laid back disposition. Mind you, they are also fiercely loyal and protective and Rambo definitely has heroic moments in this gripping romantic suspense. K-9 Search and Rescue may be his job but taking down criminals is his passion. Bwahaha — he has a wonderful save-the-day moment towards the end of the story that had me alternately cheering and laughing. Atta boy, Rambo!

Oh, and yes, there were humans in this story as well. Andrew is reassessing life choices in his grandparent’s Tennessee cabin when Natalie runs into him. And then, well, let’s just say his dog isn’t the only one possessing an uber protective gene.

Whew! High-stakes suspense all the way! And there is so much going on it’s hard to figure out what might be connected to Natalie’s dilemma and what might not. And the whole stalker vibe brings an extra urgency to the situation.

Light romance and faith threads added to my overall enjoyment. This is very much a strangers to friends to ‘hey, there might be something here, let’s explore that when all this is over’ kind of love story, which I really appreciated.

I listened to the audible edition (so thankful that Love Inspired Suspense is making more books available in this format!) Patricia Santomasso did a great job making these characters, and the tense situations they find themselves in, feel so breathtakingly real!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Lethal Mountain Rescue , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 9 2024.

Hunted in the Mountains + Giveaway

With nowhere to turn… the wilderness is the only escape route.

When a scared boy appears on her doorstep, Julia Fay has no time for questions before they’re chased into the woods by armed assailants. Former navy SEAL Troy Walker subdues their attackers, but young Jake insists the police can’t be trusted. Now three strangers are on the run together. Can Julia and Troy protect a child against the unknown…when the truth could get them killed?

My Review:

Phew! This one is an edge-of-your-seat nail-biter for sure! Addie Ellis sets the tone of the book from the very first sentence: “There was always something about the darkness of the night that left Julia Fay feeling adrift.” Cue the shiver of suspense-y delight creeping up my spine and I was committed for the long haul.

Fast-paced. Adrenaline surging. Relentless pursuit. All the the elements of a high-octane read that kept me riveted. And somehow, in the midst of all that, the author manages to flesh out some engaging characters. Easy to relate to and empathize with. And the romance, while a bit rushed, is still believable. There’s sense or urgency that mirrors the suspense and made this an unputdownable read. Devoured it in one sitting.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hunted in the Mountains , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 9 2024.

Crime Scene Conspiracy + Giveaway

Too many mysterious deaths…not enough clues.

A string of staged deaths forces Texas Ranger Emily O’Connell on a covert mission to investigate a governor’s connection to the deceased women. She doesn’t trust anyone—including crime scene cleaner Stone Spencer. But when Emily’s questioning makes her the serial killer’s next target, she must turn to ex-ranger Stone for help. With threats at every turn, outrunning a merciless villain could be the last thing they do.

My Review:

Ummm….definitely clear your calendar, turn your phone off and lock yourself away from your real world, ’cause once you enter this fictional one there’s no turning back. Riveting. Compelling. Absorbing. Intriguing…and all the ‘ings’ you can think of.

I compulsively listened to ‘Crime Scene Conspiracy’ in a day and, since I have a rule that I can only listen to audio books when I’m moving, I’m sooo sore and tired! Oy, but I couldn’t hit the pause button on this one and I’m not sorry. Except that it’s all over now but — hooray — this is the first in the Texas Crime Scene series so there are more books in store and I think we’ve gotten a hint as to which Spencer sibling will be up next in the starring role. (At least, I hope so!)

Love the way the author has set the stage for the whole series. A crime scene cleaning company is such an interesting angle and the Spencer family is full of captivating characters who all seem to have unique back stories that need exploring. Eeeeep! I can’t wait!!!

This time ’round it’s older brother Stone who ends up in the thick of things, helping Texas Ranger Emily O’Connell on a covert mission. They’ve worked together before (he’s ex-Texas Ranger) and he’s even asked her out a time or two (she declined…crazy girl!) so it was fun to see them up close and personal once again. Awkward meet-cute leads to so much more. Great banter along with some sniping (Emily has major trust issues) paired with some lovely ‘getting to know you’ moments. And a beautiful faith thread about trust and how trusting God can open your heart to trusting others. It’s a lesson Emily has to learn the hard way.

The complex suspense kept me on the edge of my seat trying to suss out the killer right along with Emily and Stone. Nice pacing between the high point action scenes and the investigative ones until — ack! — the nail-biting conclusion. A thrill of a read all the way through.

I didn’t realize going in that this was a Christmas story. The details are light enough not to feel too seasonal if you’re reading the book any other time of the year but, if you’re looking for a Christmas read, this one definitely fits the bill with some lovely festive traditions. So — an ideal romantic suspense for any time of the year!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Cold Case Conspiracy , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 24 2024.

Alaskan Wilderness Rescue + Giveaway

A missing person rescue  is now a K-9 manhunt for a killer…

A missing person case sends search and rescue worker Elsie Montgomery and her K-9 to a remote Alaskan island…only to discover she’s got a target on her back. Now she must partner with pilot Wyatt Chandler, the one man she doesn’t trust, to stay alive while confronting her shadowy past. But can they capture a killer before their time together runs out for good?

My Review:

I can’t express how thrilled I am that some of the Love Inspired Suspense novels are coming out in audio format too! I have them preordered as fast as they appear on Audible. Enjoyed Sara Sheckells’ narration immensely.

Varland knows how to deliver an edge-of-your-seat suspense with emotional depth. Elsie’s backstory is especially compelling and explains a lot about her reactions and need to be in control even as her life transforms into a terrifying free fall.

Enter Wayne — her best friend’s older brother who has a past of his own even though he’s a changed man. Once he comes to Elsie’s aid the pull to continue helping her is too strong to ignore — despite Elsie’s stubborn independent streak. Really enjoyed the way their relationship evolved, the deep discussions as they started trusting each other with their pasts.

And, of course, there’s the K-9 angle full of interesting SAR tidbits that added to the suspense and kept me riveted right to the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Alaskan Wilderness Rescue , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 10 2024.

Christmas Vendetta + Giveaway

RANDOM RETRO READ

Is she a mistaken target…or next on an enemy’s hit list?

Sandy Lynn Forrester’s Christmas holiday takes a terrifying turn when someone breaks into her home and attacks her roommate…thinking it’s her. But no one believes that an imprisoned man from Sandy Lynn’s past is behind the attacks—except for her high school heartbreak, ex-cop Clay Danforth. Can she trust Clay to keep her safe in the Ozark wilderness long enough to stop a ruthless criminal’s vengeance?

My Review:

published in 2021

I somehow missed this book when it first came out, though I’ve read the rest of the series, so I was thrilled to discover it in audiobook format! Loved the narration — Romy Nordlinger did justice to the tense, action filled plot.

So, reunion romance amidst the chaos of vengeance and danger made for a thrilling read. Clay’s life is already complicated when he runs into (literally) Sandy Lynn again. Loved the pacing in their ‘reluctant return to love’ story, though survival takes the front seat in this taut romantic suspense.

Desperation. Revenge. Betrayal. Corruption. All play a part in this complex plot to create a spine-tingling, edge-of-your-seat thrill of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible book if you have audible.ca  

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Christmas Vendetta, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 16, 2023

Alaskan Mountain Search + Giveaway

A missing teen, a killer on the prowl…This K-9’s on the case

In the Alaskan wilderness, there’s only one way to track a serial killer: a K-9. For police captain Bre Dayton, that means working with her ex, search and rescue worker Griffin Knight. With her niece missing and possibly kidnapped, Bre has to find the murderer known as the Echo Pass Hunter—fast. Even if it means trusting the man who broke her heart…and putting herself in the killer’s crosshairs.

K-9 Search and Rescue

My Review:

I’ve read (well, listened) to all the K-9 Search and Rescue books except for this one. It released back in January 2023, but for some reason didn’t appear on audible until this month so I read this one way out of order. Not a problem though, since this isn’t a continuity series. The books are just loosely tied together via the K-9 Search and Rescue theme.

I was immediately drawn to the Alaskan setting in this 8th book. Varland does an incredible job of setting the scene, describing the environment and generally making a reader feel like she’s freezing on a mountain trail somewhere. 🙂 Add in some nail-biting suspense and the drama of a second chance romance and I was in bibliophile bliss all the way through.

Beautifully written — this story reads well, as in it makes an excellent audio book. I’ve found that listening to a novel really highlights the strengths…and the flaws…in storytelling techniques and this one was a joy to listen to..

Loved the complicated dynamics in the relationship between Bre and Griffin. Their personal back stories and collective history added so much depth — and angst — to the plot. Absolutely relatable and believable and full of raw honesty. I was emotionally invested in them as a couple very early on.

The suspense is full of edge-of-your-seat stuff, including some wilderness survival scenes, as this hero and heroine face down the elements in their desperate search for Bre’s missing niece.

Unputdownable (or should I say unstoppable?) until the very last word. Definitely a favourite Love Inspired Suspense.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible book if you have audible.ca  

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Alaskan Mountain Search, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 9, 2023

Rescue Mission + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

A missing baby’s trail has gone cold…but this K-9 has one last lead…

With a baby still missing after months of searching, Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit handler Lucas Hudson and his furry partner must protect the only witness as she recovers from amnesia. But the kidnapper wants Kate Montgomery silenced — permanently. Now hiding in the icy Montana mountains might be the key to their survival and to triggering Kate’s memories of the night baby Chloe Baker disappeared…

Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit

My Review:

Woohooo! This is the book I’ve been waiting for — when we finally get to find out what happened to baby Chloe. ‘Rescue Mission’ is the eighth book in this multi-authored series and I love how each previous book edged us closer to this big reveal. If you’re new to this series, you can totally jump in here so no catching up needed, though you’d enjoy it if you did. 

Each book in the series has it’s own unique suspense and romance as well as an overarching suspense plot that finds resolution in this final instalment. But the authors do a great job of catching new readers up with former heroes and heroines as well as the progress of the suspense tie-in so you can really hop in at any point in the series.

The intense opening scene sets the stage for this action-packed grand finale. I felt like I knew Kate already from snippets in previous books and I was excited to delve into her story. And — bonus points — she comes with her very own therapy dog so we get double the puppy love and that makes me very happy. 🙂 Plus hero Lucas is kinda alluring in his own right. 

I like that there’s a bit of a history between these two as well. More on Lucas’s end since he has been watching over Kate (in a way) since her attack eight months previously. So he’s really invested in the outcome of this case and his protector spidey senses are fully charged. It makes the romance that develops all the more realistic.

And, though ‘amnesia’ isn’t my favourite trope in a suspense plot, I really like the way it plays out here. It’s been eight months since Kate’s attack and she’s been through extensive physical and psychological therapy during that time. Even so, she still hasn’t fully regained her memories. They are coming to her in fragmented pieces though, and no one knows if she will ever fully recover. I like how realistic this approach to the amnesia trope is. I just bought into it more, plus it really amped up the suspense all through the series as we got updates on Kate’s recovery…and lack of solid memories that could have helped the investigation along. 

Eason delivers an enthralling conclusion to this outstanding series!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Rescue Mission, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday Nov 18, 2023.