Tag: Romantic Suspense

Twilight Tactics

FBI agent Collin Sullivan arrives at Broken Chains Ranch with Ollie Callahan–a foster teen and sole witness to a mob hit. The ranch, started by Collin’s cousin to provide a trauma recovery facility for veterans, should be a place he can keep Ollie safe until the trial. But what was meant as a peaceful haven becomes a battleground when armed attackers surround the property. 

Survival expert Elena Thompson teaches wilderness skills at the ranch and coaches Ollie in self-defense, but soon the series of attacks on the ranch escalates into a full siege. The question is, Who are the attackers after? Ollie, the young witness? Or Elena, with her mysterious past? Cut off from help by tech skills superior to their own, Collin and Elena fight to keep everyone alive as secrets and danger close in.

USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason presents an action-packed start to a new series with twists and turns readers will never see coming.

My Review:

I’m gobsmacked. The way Eason builds the suspense throughout this book is phenomenal! So many intriguing elements and Elena’s backstory is a huge component of the plot that adds even more compelling layers. And the way Collin and Elena’s worlds collide increases the over all thrill of the read.

Argh, there’s so much I want to say but won’t for fear of spoilers but I know that if I mentioned just one of things I want to talk about, so many readers would flock to this story! But I won’t, ’cause that isn’t revealed in the book blurb. Picture me writhing in the bibliophile agony of wanting to share a favourite part of the book but unable to because there are people close by who haven’t read it yet. Excruciating!

We’re also given a third point of view, young witness in need of protection Ollie, who brings some youthful zest and poignant moments to the story. Honestly, the way this all plays out is absolute perfection. From connecting with the characters (and me yearning for their romance) to puzzling out the mysteries (yes there is more than one) and all the action scenes. Simply stunning! And if that wasn’t enough, the heartwarming celebration of grace seals the deal. Eason at her absolute best.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Twilight Tactics’ and thoroughly enjoyed Emma Faye’s narration. She brought the story to life with her emotional performance. I hung on every word. Made for a compulsive listening experience.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US –  print or ebook  – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Twilight Tactics, 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 August 15 2026.

When the Silence Breaks + Giveaway

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of a deathbed confession connected to her brother’s murder, she’s determined to protect her remaining family. Under further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she heads to the Pacific Northwest looking for a guide who knows the mountains like the back of their hand.

Ryder Goodwin, a wilderness guide and former Navy SEAL, quit guiding for the family business after his father’s death in a tragic mountain accident. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her, and he can’t stand by while someone brings danger to this small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming winter storm. With her brother’s killer closing in, their search for answers now shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it out involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

Be swept away in a rush of adrenaline with USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard’s series opener set in the Pacific Northwest.

My Review:

So much intrigue! And gasp out loud moments! Seriously I was, “Gasp! Nooooooo!” and “Gasp! Whhhaaaatttt?” and “Gasp! Don’t do it…..” and “Gasp! I knew it!” all the way through which made for an immensely fun and thrilling read.

Loved the mystery surrounding Sarah’s backstory in comparison to Ryder’s which we learn earlier on. It made such a compelling contrast and I was itching to know Sarah’s ‘all’! Dreading it too because I could see the potential for conflict raising its ugly head. And, oh my goodness, the surprises kept coming!

The mountain setting is incredible. Honestly, the mountain felt like an important secondary character. Ryder’s connection with the varied aspects of nature and weather and the secrets the mountain holds added even more interesting layers to an already complex story. So, lots of hair-raising adventuring to accompany the spine-chilling suspense elements. Oh, and the mystery! Decades old and absolutely lethal! If you looked up ‘unputdownable’ in the dictionary, this book cover would be the definition.

‘When the Silence Breaks’ was another audio ‘read’ for me and Natalia Payne’s narration enhanced my over all enjoyment of the story. She knows how to emote tension and endless emotion through her portrayal of these characters. Made for a riveting listening experience.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US –  paperback, ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When the Silence Breaks, 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 August 8 2026.

Rodeo Witness Protector

While stopping an attack near the rodeo grounds, bullfighter and part-time deputy Daniel Sinclair is stunned to see his high school sweetheart attempting to save a stabbed undercover deputy. As a witness now in possession of crucial evidence about a narcotics investigation, new rodeo doctor Annie Davis needs Daniel’s protection—for her and her missing four-year-old daughter. And the stakes only grow higher when the girl’s babysitter is found murdered and the recovered child refuses to speak. To safeguard the targeted family, can Daniel uncover who is behind it all…before a drug ring silences them for good?

My Review:

Whoa! This is one twisty-turny suspense with enough romantical angst to keep a reader on edge right through to the end. And the child in peril element adds to a sensitive reader’s emotional turmoil! Riveting from start to finish.

I listened to the audio book and Tanya Saari did a wonderful job of capturing all the emotion and angst in her narration. Her performance added an extra thrill to an already exciting story.

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

Code of Valor + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend’s cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe—and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn’t trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don’t share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

My Review:

published in 2019 – I noticed I had two copies of this book when I was unpacking after the move. Have no idea how I missed that fact all these years! I noticed the double copy as I was organizing my bookshelves in my new apartment, placing books in author order of publication date and in series order (as one does, bwahahaha!) and that’s when I noticed the double copies.

Whoa — my head is still spinning! You might need a healthy dose of caffeine (in the form of rich, dark chocolate, of course) to keep your brain sharp and ready for some serious convoluted story threads that gnarl into one colossal tangle before our hero and heroine manage to smooth it all out. Perfectly perfect for intrepid armchair sleuths everywhere. 🙂

And it all starts with a gripping edge-of-your-seat opening scene. Poor Brady, in need of a relaxing vacation and getting anything but! (And this is where I go all fan-girling over the St. John family — especially those brothers!) Because, of course, they’re not about to leave Brady floundering on his own. Love that connection between the books (this is #3 in the Blue Justice series.) Code of Valor reads wonderfully as a standalone though — so no worries if you haven’t read the the first two books and the novella. Eason does such a great job of making returning readers feel like they’ve come home while welcoming new readers to the family.

A fast-and-furious plot with lots of action and gasp-out-loud moments buffered by sibling rivalry and teasing make this an inhale-in-one-gulp kind of read. Not to mention the heavenly toe-curling romantical scenes that provide a buffer between all the angst! 

This right here is why Lynette Eason is a best-selling author — she knows how to weave a spellbinding tale that won’t let you go — even after you’ve reached the very last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International Giveaway! – I have a brand new copy of this book which I will mail to any reader anywhere in the world, so, yay! International Giveaway! (it’s been a while!)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Code of Valor, 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 July 25 2026

Fugitive Manhunt

A hunt for escaped prisoners
becomes a deadly K-9 mission.

After a prison break, K-9 officer Lizzie Reynolds is ready to join the search for the criminals—but one of the escapees finds her first and ambushes her. She’s rescued by Deputy US Marshal Walker McCane, her high school crush, and they’re forced to work together to find the fugitives. Soon they realize that one of the prisoners has a personal vendetta against Lizzie. As they face persistent attacks, Walker and Lizzie must rely on each other to survive a dangerous game with a convict who wants to complete his deadly plan…no matter the cost.

My Review:

Taut and tense and full of action and suspense, a reader barely gets a chance to catch her breath before the next harrowing scene. Lizzie’s on somebody’s hit list and she doesn’t know why. Enter Walker, her high school crush (which ended badly) to the rescue. Their unexpected reunion is fraught with emotion as they navigate their professional and personal lives. One edge-of-your-seat scene follows another right to the gasp-out-loud conclusion. (I figured out the villain waaaaaayyyyy before Walker and Lizzie did but that didn’t diminish my reading enjoyment…made it even more edgier actually.)

This is the fifth book in the ‘Colorado K-9 Unit’ continuity series which features and overarching suspense plot as well as one particular to this story. Lizzie’s mystery is solved, but there are plenty of dangling threads to tie up for the series suspense. No worries, though, ‘Fugitive Manhunt‘ can easily be read as a standalone as well, though I am enjoying this series tremendously. Might be my favourite Love Inspired Suspense continuity series yet.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Mac Folder whose performance added to the high drama and tender moments too . A captivating listen that I’d definitely recommend to audio enthusiasts.

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

Ambushed in Yosemite + Giveaway

A murderer will stop at nothing
to keep secrets buried.

Park ranger Skylar Jansen’s morning hike turns into a nightmare when she witnesses a man burying a body—and then the killer chases her through the wilderness. She’s saved by Special Agent Bode Tucker, a devoted single dad, who suspects a serial killer is at work. Soon it becomes clear that the killer may be connected to the cold case disappearance of Sky’s father. With targets now on both of their backs, they team up to investigate, but outrunning danger could be beyond their reach. Can they outwit a deadly enemy…or could one wrong move be their last?

My Review:

What a riveting romantic suspense! I was hooked right from the start. Love the way the author brings the wilderness to life with her descriptive phrasing and there are some rock climbing scenes that are…well…gripping (ha!) I felt a renewed appreciation for God’s creation through the outdoor elements to the story. Plus they add a whole other survival element to the suspense!

Speaking of suspense, this one is diabolically stalkerish. Loved the pacing between investigative and action scenes, the author struck a really nice balance with enough breathing room to allow for relationship development.

The slow burn romance is filled with trepidation as both Skylar and Brode struggle with letting go of past hurts. But, oh my goodness, I could feel the pull between them and I love the way VanHorn built up the tension by agonizingly slow degrees. Sheer romantical bliss! And Brode’s sweet little girl adds the perfect touch of levity (as well as some hair-raising moments!)

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Ambushed in Yosemite’ and thoroughly enjoyed Dominique Salvacion’s interpretation of these characters. She captured all the emotional nuances and high tension scenes perfectly which increased my ‘reading’ satisfaction all the more. Great collaboration between author and narrator.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Ambushed in Yosemite, 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 July 18 2026

Delta

A second chance at love sparks a fight for redemption.

Dylan “Delta” Hunt thought he left his past behind when he returned from war. Haunted by all he’s seen, he’s built walls around his heart, convinced that peace and love are beyond his reach.

Emma has never stopped loving Dylan, even after the man she knew came back a broken stranger. She’s spent years trying to reach him but has failed every time. Now, an unexpected revelation about her estranged family pulls her into a dangerous mystery, and Dylan might be the only one who can help.

When Emma vanishes without a trace, Dylan is forced to confront the feelings he buried long ago. But the real question is, does he have enough light inside to bring them both home? Or will rescuing her cost him what little peace he clings to?

My Review:

The fifth and final (I think) ‘Hunt Brothers Search and Rescue’ novel and, whoa, is it a doozie! All of the books have been filled with intriguing action-packed suspense but this one has an added creepy ick factor that kept me on edge all the way through. Some graphic descriptions of violence and off page torture too, so not for the faint of heart.

Dylan has been the tortured soul sibling throughout the whole series. Wounded and a long way out from healing both emotionally and spiritually. His story is powerful as he works his way back to his faith. He struggles with finding God in the dark places but when he finally does…whooooeeee…be prepared for an emotional outpouring!

The second chance romance with his childhood sweetheart is bittersweet for a lot of the story. Dylan hurt Emma badly, his reasons buried in a complicated layer of grief, fear and anger. It all comes to a head when Emma is threatened and Dylan will do anything to save her.

Intense with dark undertones, this last book in the series packs a serious wallop.

Explosive Alliance

random retro read

The last thing Krista Curry expected to find in a soccer stadium was a time bomb. When she alerts explosives expert Cash Dixon, she becomes a local hero. But the attention could expose her real name—and the infamous past she fought to escape. Cash promises Krista protection from the bomber’s retaliation. Yet she hesitates to trust him as she sees his suspicion about her grow with every question she dodges. She can’t expect Cash to continue to safeguard her unless she tells him the truth. Now Cash must decide if she’s an innocent woman or guilty accomplice. But the clock is ticking down—and the real bomber is still on the loose… 

First Responders: Brave men and women alert and ready for danger and love.

My Review:

first published in 2015

This ‘First Responders’ series is what made Susan Sleeman a must read author for me and I’ve followed her faithfully (mostly) ever since. It’s a four part series but somehow I missed the second book ten years ago so was thrilled to discover this audio ‘retro’ edition available this month. It is narrated by the incomparable Whitney Dykhouse who has become the voice of most, if not all, of Susan Sleeman’s novels. Love the way she portrays the tension and action in a suspense. And she’s excellent at creating distinctive voices for each character which keeps me engaged in an already compelling story.

‘Explosive Alliance’ is all breath-snatching action, taut suspense and wary distrust on both sides, making Cash and Krista’s love story absolutely bingeworthy. From their hair-raising meet-cute to the complicated give and take of a relationship forged in the midst of chaos, Sleeman delivers everything I love to find in a romantic suspense.

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

Protecting the Baby + Giveaway

Guarding a child in danger

…is a K-9 team’s most important mission.

When a dangerous assailant trespasses on his ranch in the middle of the night, K-9 Officer Eli Blackwood must act quickly to outwit a kidnapper targeting his neighbor and her baby. Protecting veterinarian Carly Mayor and the infant she’s become guardian to means going off the grid and hiding out at his grandfather’s cabin. But who is after baby Ariel…and does it have to do with the mysterious deaths of her parents? Chased through the Colorado wilderness by deadly gunmen, Carly and Eli must work together to survive. But with threats coming from every direction, untangling the mystery behind the attacks could be the last thing they do…

My Review:

An exceptional addition to the ‘Colorado K-9 Unit’ continuity series. I love how the author blended the over-arcing series suspense with the suspense unique to this book. She did an amazing job of piquing my interest for both. My sleuthing armchair worked overtime this read!

This is the fourth book in the series – no worries, ‘Protecting the Baby’ reads well as a standalone too – but I’ve been curious about Eli’s backstory since I first ‘met’ him and, whoa, talk about heartbreak and trauma! His personal growth through the course of this novel is phenomenal. Loved the way he gradually softened towards Carly and baby Ariel. Even in the midst of tension and danger, there were so many bright moments that lightened the darker ones.

So, an emotional romance paired with lots of intrigue and action along with the best K-9 team to provide back up, made this an unputdownable read…

Well, I should say ‘unstoppable’ since I listened to the audio edition expertly narrated by Cindy Kay. Absolutely love her narration style, her voice fits this genre perfectly. She knows how to inject the right sense of tension and drama in the action scenes and she’s great a creating memorable dialogue too. Her performance added to my overall enjoyment of ‘Protecting the Baby.’

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Of Note: this book releases On June 30 2026

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Protecting the Baby, 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 June 6 2026

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.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of 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 June 6 2026