Conspiracy + Giveaway

Conspiracy, the third book in USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble’s Sanctuary series (following Ambush and Prowl), delivers exactly what her fans the ideal blend of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat with just the right amount of romance. Perfect for fans of Laura Dave, Allison Brennan, and Lynette Eason.

Fifteen years of secrets. Once chance for justice.

Just as wildlife veterinarian Paradise Alden begins to envision a future with Blake Lawson, the ghosts of her past return with a vengeance. The murder of her parents has shadowed her for fifteen years, but a new threat brings the cold case into the terrifying present. A trained leopard–a chilling embodiment of Paradise’s deepest fears–is now stalking her.

Haunted by resurfacing memories, Paradise, Blake, and her newfound brother, Drew, follow a trail of clues that leads them into a web of dark family secrets. The deeper they dig, the more shocking the connections become, linking their families to a dangerous conspiracy that someone is still willing to kill to protect.

With every step closer to the truth, the killer becomes more desperate. Paradise, Blake, and Drew must race to expose a murderer who has remained hidden for fifteen years, but this time, they are the ones being stalked. If they can’t unmask the killer, the past will destroy both the fragile future Paradise and Blake are trying to build and the family she has finally found with her brother.

A conspiracy of lemurs is a family. But a conspiracy of people can be deadly.

My Review:

This has been my favourite Colleen Cable series, but be forewarned, the ‘Sanctuary’ books should be read in order, ‘Ambush‘, ‘Prowl‘ and finally ‘Conspiracy‘. The perfect blend of romance along with stalkerish suspense make each book impossible to put down and all combined — phew, what I call sweet perfection. Or maybe that should be eerie perfection. Lots of shivery chills and romantical thrills!

The wildlife sanctuary setting is so unique and utterly fascinating between the details on the various animals and the challenges of keeping a facility like that funded and running smoothly. And it provides some wonderful scope for compelling suspense and action scenes!

The romance between Paradise and Blake has been spectacular. It’s been so fulfilling to watch their relationship deepen over the course of three books, making their ultimate happily ever after downright epic! And that goes for personal character growth as well, especially in Paradise. Her backstory was brutal and her struggle to overcome the subsequent fears inspiring. I love how Blake didn’t back away from any of their issues either. They talked things through, fretted when they didn’t see eye to eye but neither gave up on the other. That kind of romantic depth just couldn’t happen in one book.

‘Conspiracy’ is the series grande finale, where all the loose ends are tied up nicely, from cold cases to Paradise’s family history and even the ultimate comeuppance for one particularly nasty secondary character (I cheered out loud!) Such an enriching read!

Well, listen in my case as I enjoyed the audio edition narrated by Karen Peakes. She has been the narrator for all three books and I appreciate that continuity. She has the incredible ability to portray each character with unique voices that suit their personalities and is especially wonderful at creating believable children’s voices. Highly recommend the audio editions in the ‘Sanctuary‘ series.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Silent Menace + Giveaway

A vulnerable target. A mysterious discrepancy. An unforeseen love.

After the exposure of her deceased husband’s criminal activity, CPA Hailey Nieland struggles to move on with life as a single mother raising a hearing-impaired toddler in a hostile small town. When she gains a major client, she hopes the extra income will be just what they need . . . until she begins finding anomalies in the accounts. 

No one should trust their life to a bodyguard who can’t protect himself, much less his client. At least, that’s what Peter Lewis believes after his failed mission. But leaving his former career behind is much harder than he expected–especially when someone begins targeting an accountant who works in the office building he’s now responsible for. As threats against her escalate, Peter and Hailey must work together to overcome their fears and expose a complex cover-up before she becomes the next victim. 

Parable bestselling author Angela Carlisle delivers edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense featuring a single mother, a bodyguard seeking redemption, financial intrigue, and a small-town setting for readers who enjoy high stakes and nonstop action.

My Review:

Angela Carlisle has become a must-read romantic suspense author for me, right up there with Irene Hannon, Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn and so many more. One of my favourite genres and Carlisle’s intricate plotting and deeply emotional relationships add so much to the edge-of-your-seat suspense. Unputdownable to the nth degree!

And it starts right from the opening scene – a prologue full of intrigue that leaves the reader with so many questions. Or listener in my case – kudos to narrator Amy McFadden for breathing life into these characters and relating their story with the kind of delicious edginess all that action and danger deserve.

We’re quickly brought into Hailey’s point of view with the ominous opening sentence of chapter one, “Something wasn’t right.” Cue the thrills and chills of anticipatory foreshadowing and what unfolds comes very close to romantic suspense perfection!

A hero with a wounded heart, a heroine struggling to come back from the unthinkable and her innocent, vulnerable daughter are the key players in this gripping novel, though there is also a strong cast of secondary characters, both the kind to love and the kind to, well, dislike intensely. Encroaching danger, a perplexing mystery and a slow-burn romance fraught with its own unique tension all combine to make ‘Silent Menace’ a compulsively addictive read.

Deadly Currents + Giveaway

Investigative journalist Cressida arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the “ghost ship” Specter’s Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind–Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces.

County detective Braden is in Hidden Bay for one reason–to get his niece lifesaving medical treatment. To do that, he is assigned to protect Cressida from a revenge-driven enemy. Together, Braden and Cressida dig deeper to discern the myth from the facts surrounding the Specter’s Bounty. Entangled in secrets, they must unravel the past before it destroys their future.

Brace yourself for Elizabeth Goddard’s final adrenaline-inducing installment in the Hidden Bay series.

My Review:

“Brace yourself for Elizabeth Goddard’s final adrenaline-inducing installment in the Hidden Bay series.”

Brace yourself indeed! I’m still gobsmacked by the intrigue and hidden agendas and secrets! What a twisty-turny tale that builds to a crescendo of a series conclusion. No worries if you haven’t read the first two books in the ‘Hidden Bay’ series (though you should!) because ‘Deadly Currents’ reads very well as a standalone novel, but we do get the occasional cameo from some familiar characters which is always fun for seasoned fans.

I’m not sure I can find words to describe the suspense. Gripping just doesn’t cut it. Riveting? Compelling? Nope, not enough ‘oomph’ behind those descriptors, though they all definitely fit. It’s more than that – I was literally on edge, waiting with bated breath to figure it all out, to make the connections, to understand all the intricate layers. Spellbound from start to finish.

And Goddard strikes the perfect ratio between action scenes and ‘calmer’ ones. She gives us lots of time in between adrenaline rushes to explore Braden and Cressida’s backstories and relationship. Both are fraught with emotion and hidden depths. Even secrets. Love the push/pull in the romance even as I agonized over Braden’s well intentioned deception. What a thrill of a read!

Or listen in my case. I thoroughly enjoyed Chloe Pfeiffer’s excellent narration. Her portrayal of these characters was spot on and the way she conveyed high tension points and the desperation in the action scenes brought a next level sense of exhilaration to the story.

Danger in the Rockies + Giveaway

A K-9 team’s investigation

leads to a deadly case of mistaken identity.

K-9 officer Maren Anderson is shocked when she catches a glimpse of her presumed-dead twin sister—moments before a shooter opens fire. DEA agent Colt Dawson rescues her and helps secure the crime scene, but before Maren can find her sister, Opal vanishes again. Maren has questions and so does Colt—especially since Opal may be the key to exposing a drug kingpin’s identity. But now the cartel leader’s henchmen think Maren is her sister and she has a target on her back. Forced to work together to unravel the deadly mystery, Maren and Colt must track down her twin before the criminals closing in claim their lives…

My Review:

Intriguing and intense with undercurrents of romance, ‘Danger in the Rockies’ is the kind of book you want to devour in one sitting. I was committed right from the frantic opening scene that propels Maren into unexpected chaos and danger. Luckily, Colt and his own K-9 partner are able to render aide whereupon their individual cases – and their lives – become entangled as they search for answers.

Their emotionally charged love story gradually evolves behind the scenes while investigative work and thwarting villains take precedence. Loved the pacing and the way Reed breathes life into her characters – not only Colt and Maren, but her whole team as well. I’m so looking forward to getting everybody’s story by the end of the year.

So, yes, this is the third book in the ‘Colorado K-9 Unit’ continuity series but it reads well as a standalone too. I really appreciated the way the author merged the over-arcing series suspense elements within the specifics for the case unique to this book. Very well done and easy to follow. Plus, I’m more excited than ever to get back with the team and follow some clues and finally get some answers!

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Danger in the Rockies’ expertly narrated by Tanya Eby. She has become a favourite voice in my listening library and finding her name listed in the credits is likely to sway my purchasing impulse. Definitely an audio book I can happily recommend.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Tracking the Taken Child

A little girl has vanished…
Can a K-9 team find her?

Preschool teacher Lydia Caldwell’s peaceful day in the Rockies becomes her most harrowing nightmare when she’s pushed over a mountain ledge and her three-year-old daughter is abducted. Lydia must now entrust her life and her child’s fate to K-9 Officer River Jameson and his yellow Lab partner, Frankie. As the danger escalates and the trail grows colder by the second, River and Frankie work tirelessly to track down the kidnapper. Is the culprit Lydia’s ex…or is someone from her past seeking revenge? Will River’s skill and Frankie’s instincts save an innocent child—and protect Lydia from the elusive criminal targeting her?

My Review:

The emotionally charged opening scene sets the stage for the second instalment of the Colorado K-9 Unit continuity series and I loved every second of this intense mix of danger, drama and romance.

A mother’s worst nightmare, the kidnapping of her child, makes for a gripping backdrop for the suspense and an intense introduction for Lydia and River. And K-9 extraordinaire, Frankie! What follows is a gripping game of cat-and-mouse as Lydia and River dodge bullets and danger in a desperate attempt to track a kidnapper and find little Elsie. Action packed adventure with enough plot twists to keep a reader on the edge of her seat.

I listened to the audible edition of Tracking the Taken Child narrated by Megan Tusing who did a great job conveying a sense of urgency into her storytelling. A truly compulsive listening experience for me.

Spies, Lies and Alibis + Giveaway

They were each other’s first love. Now they might be each other’s last hope.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she’s perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss’s criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez–a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans–she’ll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster–and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide. Now, they’re both keeping dangerous secrets–and working dangerously close to blowing each other’s cover.

Forced to work together to stop a catastrophic deal that could arm America’s enemies, Cybil and Ben must face ruthless criminals, hidden agendas, and the ghosts of their past. Trust is a luxury they can’t afford–but love? That just might be their undoing.

My Review:

Bwahahahaha! I was so not prepared for the reality of this story but it was so much fun! I grinned my way through the whole thing and not quite sure how to review ‘Spies. Lies and Alibis’. Spy novel with rom/com vibes? Comedic suspense? Oh, I know, James Bond meets Lucille Ball! They kinda all fit, but not exactly. I think Natalie Walters has created a new sub-genre.

Ben is deep undercover on an assignment that has taken him months to develop and no one knows who he really is until a blast from his youthful past shows up in the form of one very beguiling and all grown up Cybil Langford. She has her own reasons for getting into the thick of things and while he’s all suave, controlled agent undercover she’s….definitely not any of that. Calamity Cybil might be a worthy moniker. Some of the scrapes she gets into are hilarious and very Lucy-esque adding all kinds of levity the cloak and dagger atmosphere.

And I really can’t say anything more than that – except the banter is exquisite. Cybil’s combination of sarcasm and nerve are enchanting and the pacing of this – undefined genre – is impeccable. Rather light on the romance, unless you count in all the verbal sparring that carries on for most of the book but when that happily every after finally arrives it does so with unexpectedly delightful panache.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Spies, Lies and Ailibis’ and found the dual narration by Andrew Elden and Dominique Salvacion to be really enjoyable. They brought all the energy and humour in the written word to vibrant life and I highly recommend going the audio route for this amazing book.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Searching the Truth + Giveaway

A K-9 on a gunman’s trail
will uncover a sinister scheme.

Officer Autumn Riley and her K-9, Bear, are jolted awake in the middle of the night by an intruder—and just barely escape the shots fired their way. When rancher Jordan Clarke, who has been searching for his missing sister, gets caught in the crossfire, he becomes a target too. Is the gunman a vengeful convict that Autumn sent to jail, or is it someone linked to her mother’s unsolved murder? With the attacks against them unrelenting, they’ll have to put everything on the line—including their own lives—to take down this criminal.

My Review:

So excited that a K-9 continuity series has become an annual Loved Inspired Suspense tradition! My absolute favourite series in the line and Laura Scott has created a stunning introduction to this year’s offering, the Colorado K-9 Unit.

The tense, action-packed opening scene sets the stage for the story that follows. This time a special K-9 Unit has been created to expose a diabolical crime ring and Autumn spends her time working leads on that case as well as a more personal one of her own. Only she’s not sure if they are connected or how Jordan Clarke fits into the mix. Lots of intriguing layers to delve into here.

Of course, she has Bear and his unique K-9 skills to help her along the way. Scott does a wonderful job portraying the strong bond between these partners and the way they work together in the field.

Then there’s Jordan, a neighbouring rancher who adds his own measure of intrigue as well as sparks of attraction. I enjoyed the progression of their romance in the midst of sheer bedlam! If my heart wasn’t racing because of the suspense it was skipping beats over their love story.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Searching the Truth’ and was thrilled to hear the familiar voice of Jennifer Jill Araya narrating the story. She always delivers a well-paced performance that catches the essence of the story and the spirit of the characters.

Deadly Conclusion + Giveaway

In the thrilling conclusion of the “Deadly Secrets” series, dog trainer Keely Lambert breaks in Titan, a new shepherd, during a rescue mission to find little Conner Wells. Aided by childhood friend, Beau Gardner of the TBI and Conner’s uncle, Keely finds the boy deep inside Beaman Park.

But Conner is not all that Keely found. On the way back to the welcome center, she notices something sticking out of the dirt―the military dog tags of her father who disappeared more than two decades before.

The discovery sets Keely on a hunt to unearth her father’s killer, only to be thwarted by multiple setbacks…

Of note: I edited out the last paragraph of the synopsis found on Good Reads because it literally outlines major key points of the plot — major spoiler!! So don’t read it if you want to enjoy the plot twists as they come up during your read!

My Review:

published in 2022

A riveting conclusion to the aptly titled “Deadly Secrets” series. No worries if you haven’t read the first two books though, Deadly Conclusion reads very well as a standalone. There are some familiar faces from previous books that crop up in this one, but written in such a way that newcomers to the series won’t feel lost. And no spoilers, well other then the heroes and heroines of previous stories achieve their happily ever afters!

I love that the romance/suspense ratio is about fifty/fifty in this last book. Much more romance than the previous ones. Conner and Keely have a past (the teenage angst kind) but that is quickly sorted in a mature, we are a decade older and wiser kind of way that I appreciated. From there, renewed friendship grows into the hope of recapturing what they lost. Sweet and tender with plenty of friendly banter, their love story lightens the grim reality of the grittier suspense elements. Harris also creates an extra level of depth as both Conner and Keely grapple with real life faith issues that both challenge and convict.

Excellent tension building surrounding the cold case and the danger Keely faces. There’s a realistic sense of ‘hurry up and wait’ about the police procedural side of the investigation, which was refreshing and played into that aforementioned tension. And I loved the inclusion of the K-9s which always add an extra thrill to any suspense read (for me, anyway!)

Raging Waters + Giveaway

As the dam crumbles and water sweeps across the terrain, their battle for justice and survival is just beginning.

When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.

While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons she suspects.

As killers begin to circle Mackenzie, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.

My Review:

Another enthralling adventure/suspense from one of my fave authors. The addition of our hero and heroine battling the elements as well as relentless villains adds so much intensity to this romantic suspense. Mentink’s descriptions are phenomenal, made me feel cold and wet and bruised and ready to drop right along with Mackenzie and Gideon! This author is not always kind to her characters…at least, not until the very end, so you might want to grab a comfy blanket and a warm beverage before your curl up with ‘Raging Waters.‘ Just a friendly readerly recommendation. 🙂

Gotta love a wilderness survival expert hero who comes equipped with a Mary Poppins-esque backpack! As well as some personal history that’s adding extra weight to his load. I loved Gideon instantly…Mackenzie not so much. Her “stubborn, mercurial, maddening” personality took some getting used to. Obsession has clouded her judgement and she’s skirting the fine line between justice and revenge, but oh my, is her personal journey inspiring!

And that’s partly because of Gideon as he gently but unapologetically forces her to face some hard truths. These two have a history — non romantic — but the relationship was severed after the tragic death of MacKenzie’s brother. He was also Gideon’s best friend and these two dealt with their grief and the brutal reality of murder in very different ways.

Fast forward two years and their ‘chance’ meeting in the Washington wilderness triggers a series of events that throws them together no matter how hard Mackenzie tries to evade Gideon. Though reluctant, his innate protector radar is on full alert and he has every intention “to be a barnacle on her back” until the bitter end.

Action and adventure ensue and draw them together as they fight for survival and truth. All while a dangerous criminal king pin closes in. Buckle up for lots of tension and hair-raising, edge-of-your-seat moment, thankfully punctuated by Mentink’s trademark humour to relieve some of the stress.

A riveting addition to the “Elements of Danger” series (easily read as a standalone though) and now I’m wondering what’s next. Please say this series will continue!

Deadly Connection

Will they uncover the secrets between them before it becomes deadly?

After fending off a would-be abductor, 27-year-old singer-songwriter Hannah Cassidy hides behind a car in the half-empty parking lot behind Pancake Pantry in Nashville. From there, she watches in horror as her attacker grabs another woman and pushes her into a nearby car. Within seconds, the vehicle speeds away.

TBI Special Agent Jake Matheson may have planned a quiet day off and a date with Shannon―the only name her online profile revealed―for an introductory lunch, but after pulling into a parking space on 21st Avenue South, he hears a scream. He races to the back of the building and finds a frightened young woman bent forward and gasping for breath.

Thrown together by uncanny circumstances and driven by the whys and what-ifs of secrets yet to be revealed, Hannah and Jake set out to find the connection between them before it becomes deadly.

My Review:

published in 2021

Fraught with danger, taut with emotion, ‘Deadly Connection’ takes off at a breakneck speed that set my heart racing. Gripping doesn’t begin to describe this romantic suspense!

The author is an expert at plotting and pacing, making her stories impossible to put down. I love the way she builds up the suspense with equal parts action/danger and police procedural. We even get some villain POV scenes which were eye-opening and gobsmacking!

Hannah and Jake’s developing relationship brings a nice respite from all that edginess. They are both cautious, even wary, and I loved watching them work through their own personal issues in order to be supportive to one another. Faith plays a part in their struggles, as Harris deftly weaves inspirational elements throughout their story.

A gripping romantic suspense that made an emotional impact.