Tag: Romantic Suspense

Shadow of Deceit + Giveaway

When returning to her past threatens her life and a murder occurs…

When Mia Blackburn returns to Shadow Lake to inherit her uncle’s property, she doesn’t expect a threatening warning before she even reaches the rustic resort. And when a fire traps her in the burning barn that very day, she fears she won’t get out alive. Just in time, Ryan Maddox, her ex-boyfriend and Shadow Lake Survival owner, rescues her from the deadly blaze. She’s thankful for his rescue, but after their tumultuous breakup, he’s the last person she wants to see. Will she be the next victim?

Despite the threatening warning and her residual feelings for Ryan, Mia won’t let anyone scare her from the rustic resort before she fulfills the terms of her uncle’s will and inherits the property. Ryan insists on keeping a close eye on her, and soon Mia feels safer and closer to Ryan than ever before. Yet the threats haven’t stopped, and soon Mia’s inheritance includes a murder, and she could be the next victim.

My Review:

Eeeepppppp!!!! Squeeeealllll!!!!! Squeeeaaapppp! This is me shrieking like a banshee while I perform my New Release Happy Dance. And not just any new release — a Susan Sleeman first book in a new series release!!! I can’t even….

The Shadow Lake Survival series features six men (eep, that means six books!) who are either ex-military or ex-law enforcement and work as a team to run a wilderness survival camp, which is all kinds of cool. The Maddox brothers own the company and, if you’ve read any books in the author’s previous series, Steele Guardians, you’ll already be acquainted with Ryan, Russ and Reid.

I do so love the way Sleeman creates that bond of brotherhood, complete with teasing and banter and kidding around. Of course, theses brothers (and their friends) are also quick to lend a hand when needed – no matter how dangerous or dastardly the situation. In Shadow of Deceit, it’s Ryan who needs the support — both emotionally and physically — as he finds himself embroiled in his ex-girlfriend’s tumultuous return.

Mia has come back to Shadow Lake in order to fulfill the terms of her uncle’s will. The last person she want to see is the man she walked away from a decade ago. (Oy, Mia, you stomped all over my bruised heart before you finally learned to trust again!) But, Ryan is more concerned about keeping Mia safe than hashing out their past. At least, that’s what he keeps telling himself. 🙂

So, be prepared for an emotional Reunion Romance with just the right amount of angst and humour and swoony moments. Sleeman does an excellent job of balancing Ryan and Mia’s love story with the suspense. Mia is under siege from an unknown assailant who has some very creative ways of warning her off. I had fun trying to figure out the who and the why and love the way the tension slowly built towards the spectacular conclusion. I was on tenterhooks all the way through.

I listened to the audible edition of Shadow of Deceit, expertly narrated by Whitney Dykehouse. She does all of Susan Sleeman’s audio books and it’s a great partnership!

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 (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shadow of Deceit, 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 12, 2023.

Critical Error + Giveaway

One decision changed his life. 

Nathan Hollister nearly died in a war zone and the experience made one thing crystal clear—breaking off his engagement was a terrible mistake. He arrives at his ex’s ranch to make amends, but gunfire erupts before he can. 

Someone wants her dead. 

Cassie Miles is used to being abandoned, first by her mother and then Nathan. But when an attempt is made on her life, she can’t protect herself and the horses she’s rehabilitating. Accepting Nathan’s help is the only answer.   

A hazardous mission. 

Nathan won’t let anyone harm Cassie. Convincing her to give him a second chance, however, is impossible. As the danger creeps closer, the risk heightens. One critical error could cost Nathan everything…again. 

My Review:

published in 2021

An emotional edge-of-your-seater!

Though this is the second book in the ‘Triumph Over Adversity’ series, it reads really well as a standalone. The books are based around ex-military friends who bonded in the VA hospital and are now easing into civilian life. Shannon has captured the kind of brotherhood that continues beyond enlistment which is a huge draw for me. These guys are facing real challenges, both personal and through the dangerous situations they find themselves in. And, keep in mind, romance can be every bit as scary as a stalker! Just saying’. 🙂

So, we have reunion romance with a rescue horse ranch for a setting! Can it get any better than that? Well, actually, yes it can when you throw in some edgy suspense full of gasp-out-loud, cringe-and-duck moments!

Nathan arrives at Cassie’s ranch to serve up some humble pie. What he did back in the day…oy…Nathan, you had to work hard to regain my trust! Cassie is still mad and hurt and unforgiving and he gets that. He’s never stopped loving her but he isn’t hoping for a second chance. He just wants to make things as right as they can be but before he can even begin grovelling, he’s swept into a frantic scene of gunfire and mayhem.

Once he discovers that Cassie is battling an unknown assailant who has been relentlessly harassing her…well, Nathan appoints himself her bodyguard. Anyone enjoy the forced proximity trope? I sure do and this one plays out beautifully.

Intense. Breathtaking. Pretty much unputdownable…or unstoppable since I listened to the audio edition courtesy of Chirp. An exciting marathon ‘read’ that was over all too soon. Luckily there are more books in the series for me to binge on!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Critical Error, 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 5, 2023.

Threat Detection + Giveaway

Can a K-9 team stop an assailant with a deadly plan?

When someone shoots at volcanologist Aubrey Smith on Mount St. Helens, it’s up to K-9 officer Isaac McDane to protect her even though she broke his heart a decade ago. But as people keep dying and signs point to Aubrey’s sister being involved or the next potential victim, they’ll have to work together to track down the killer before he finishes his hit list.

Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit

My Review:

This is the fifth instalment of the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series and things are really amping up with both the over-arcing suspense plot and a few intriguing subplots which have me all in a dither and anxious to get a hold of the next book asap. Luckily, since they release monthly I only have a few weeks to wait.

This is a multi-authored continuity series but each book reads fine as a standalone too. Each author does a great job of sharing pertinent details which are great refreshers for the stalwart series fans and perfect catch-ups for the newbie reader. And, of course, each book has its own romantic suspense plot that comes to a satisfactory conclusion.

In Isaac and Aubrey’s case, that means Reunion Romance, one of my all time favourite tropes. These two have History with a capital H and Dunn does a fantastic job of feeding us tidbits in measured doses which kept me on edge until I had the whole picture. Cue angst and yearning and buried feelings coming back to life. Excellent romance!

And the suspense is just as intense! Love the way the tension builds, between escalating attacks and trying to puzzle out the clues before the killer actually succeeds. I was riveted from start to finish.

And — hooray — this is another Love Inspired Suspense that is available in audio format and you can bet I had it downloaded and ‘read’ by the end of release day!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Threat Detection, 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 5 , 2023.

Explosive Truth + Giveaway

Walking the line between danger and love! Stalked by a bomber!

When Devon Thompson’s car explodes at the click of her key fob, she doesn’t want to believe she was targeted on purpose. But when the next bomb is found in her apartment, she can’t ignore the fact that someone wants her dead. Trusting Captain Rhyland Finnegan with the truth isn’t easy, but soon she realizes Rhy is an honorable man who will go above and beyond to keep her safe.

As the oldest of nine kids, Rhy has spent the ten years since his parents’ death keeping the Finnegan family together. His personal life has been on hold, until now. Keeping Devon alive is a priority, yet he can’t ignore the attraction between them….

Reviewer Note: I felt like the synopsis gave away too much of the plot — liked carried it into the last quarter of the book so I am cutting it off here. Do yourself a favour and don’t read the entire synopsis before diving into this book!

My Review:

Okay…first off…I’m a tad shy of giddy over a whole series built around a family of nine (yes NINE) siblings who all work in some sort of law enforcement or medical field. The Finnegans are all about service — both to their God and their community. And Rhy is up first, which is only fitting since he is the eldest.

Lots of action, some amazing family dynamics and the lure of sweet romance kept me fixated on this story until the very last word. Then I was all happy swoony sighs. 🙂 The romance is as fast and furious as the suspense so if you’re not a fan of insta-love, this might not be the book for you. I tend to adore my romance in a myriad of forms and insta-love is one of them. I definitely felt the connection between Rhy and Devon and was rooting for their HEA long before the last bomb blast echoed in the distance. Bwahaha!

Oh — and fans of this author will be thrilled by a unexpected connection with some fave heroes and heroines from her LIS Callahan Confidential series. You don’t have to read those books in order to enjoy this one, but it was a fun surprise. You know an author is good at characterization when a last name immediately brings a series to recall!

I’m so enamoured with the Finnegan First Responders series that I’m leaping right into book two immediately. I’ll be enjoying all the books in audio format and was pleased to discover them on sale on Chirp.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Explosive 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 July 29 , 2023.

Calculated Risk + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

He carries the burden of his mistakes.

The wounds on Jason Gonzalez’s body are nothing compared to the ones on his heart. The former Marine avoids getting close to anyone new, especially his gorgeous next-door neighbor. Until he hears a scream coming from her house in the middle of the night.

Her enemies are too numerous to count.

Addison Foster escaped an abusive marriage and has become an advocate for others. When an intruder breaks into her home and nearly kills her, Addison is rescued by an unlikely protector. But the threats against her aren’t over and she needs help.

Danger around every corner.

Jason makes it his mission to keep Addison safe, but keeping her out of his heart proves impossible. As the threats increase, there’s no room for mistakes. Will his calculated risk pay off or will it end in tragedy?

My Review:

published in 2021

I can’t believe I totally missed this series a couple of years back! In fact, Lynn Shannon has a number of indie books published that I need to catch up on…starting with this series!

‘Calculated Risk’ is the first book in the ‘Triumph Over Adversity’ series and it’s a fantastic introduction. The books are loosely connected through ex-military friends who bonded in the V A hospital and are now easing into civilian life. Love the camaraderie of this brotherhood and the way they support and encourage one another. Makes a great foundation for the series. Though each book can be read as a standalone, I’m happy that I started with this one and loved it so much I’ve already purchased book two.

Jason is the perfect alpha hero — and that comes with some introspective brooding and feelings of inadequacy due to some life-altering injuries sustained in combat. He’s not about to become involved with any woman, especially his next-door neighbour, despite the fact that his retired K-9 is already a goner for Addison. I do so love a matchmaking critter. 🙂

Love that these two have known each other for six months, both quietly attracted to the other, but relationship wary for various reasons. Until danger stalks Addison and Jason comes to the rescue. Whew — intense opening scene! And the tension amps up from there. A well-paced plot balances, romance, suspense and the guys’ friendship and made this book unputdownable.

Or I should say unstoppable because I listened to the audio edition (thank you Chirp sale!) expertly narrated by Stacey Glemboski. Finished it in a day and getting reading for another listening marathon with book two, Critical Error.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Calculated Risk 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 19 , 2023.

Eliminating the Witness + Giveaway

A hidden identity exposed…and murderers on the hunt…

Rachel Bright’s time hiding in a small town comes to a crashing halt when her witness protection location is compromised. Now to evade her serial killer ex-husband after his surprise release from prison, she must go on the run with US marshal Kyle Reid. But with a bounty on her head and determined contract killers on her tail, every move could be their last.

My Review:

Equal parts intense and emotional with enough hair-raising to…well, make your hair stand up on end. 🙂 Some beautiful descriptive passages as well, along with multi-faceted characters that keep a reader on edge with every new revelation.

I particularly appreciated the way the author included fascinating bits of Emergency Medicine (the author is an ER nurse) and the intricacies of the WITSEC programme. It all added an extra dimension to this romantic suspense.

And I love our take-charge heroine! Rachel has been through a horrific ordeal that’s necessitated going into hiding. She’s reinvented herself, from the inside out, leaving her victim persona behind. If only the past would stay in the past! Her resiliency, the way she leans on the Lord and her courage in the face of adversity are all admirable traits that I found so appealing. And so does Kyle. Only there’s all kinds of complications — like keeping the witness alive!

A plot full of twists and turns that kept me engaged up to the very last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Eliminating the Witness, 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 15 , 2023.

Tunnel Creek Ambush + Giveaway

Danger lurks in the shadows…
and a police dog is keeping watch

Officer Jasper Holt never thought he’d see his high school girlfriend, Kinsley Miller, again—much less become her protector. But when the wildlife biologist returns home for her aunt’s funeral, she’s attacked twice in a matter of hours. With his K-9 partner at his side, the single father will protect Kinsley with his life. But can they uncover the reason behind the assaults…before the next strike becomes the last?

My Review:

Reunion romance of high school sweethearts + action and adventure all wrapped up in a K-9 suspense? Yes please! Lots of elements to lure me in and Johnson’s writing style kept me hooked. Oh — and I love that Kinsley is a wildlife biologist. You can tell the author appreciates all creatures great and small…even the squirmy kind! I enjoyed the wilderness aspects of this story and how the setting added to the suspenseful elements.

‘Tunnel Creek Ambush ‘starts out with the ambush — a nail-biting scene that sets the tone for the rest of the book. Loved the perplexing mystery that keep Kinsley and Jasper stymied while they dodge multiple attacks of an imaginative nature. Fast-paced with enough breathing room to toss in some banter and soul-searching. The kind of read you can’t put down until the cutest ever epilogue promises a happily-ever-after.

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 Tunnel Creek Ambush, 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 15 2023.

Olympic Mountain Pursuit + Giveaway

Can this K-9 get a child to safety?

Four years ago, former US Marshal Jackson Dean left his job after falling for a witness—who’s suddenly the target of an assassin. Now it’s up to Jackson and his K-9 partner to protect single mom Everly Lopez and her young daughter when Everly’s identity is blown. But with hired killers looking for a payday, Jackson must use all his resources to stop them from silencing Everly permanently.

Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit

My Review:

Another compelling addition to this continuity series, though it reads wonderfully well as a standalone too. There’s an overarching suspense plot that slowly builds through all the books and won’t be solved until the last one, but each book has it’s own suspense and romance that come to satisfactory conclusions so you aren’t left with too much of a cliffhanger. 🙂

I really loved the way this story developed. Not as fast paced as many Love Inspired Suspense novels, but no less captivating — maybe even more so because of the unique pacing. There’s still plenty of action — but enough ‘down time’ in between to really get into the intricacies of the romance.

An almost-but-not-quite second chance love story. Jackson and Everly developed a close bond four years ago when he over saw her protection in the WITSEC programme. But, of course, those circumstances aren’t conducive to romance and we fast forward four years to a time when so much as changed for both of them.

I really appreciated Everly’s very real struggle with her anger towards God. I found those scenes so honest — emotionally raw — and very relatable. Moving and inspiring.

I listened to the audible edition of Olympic Mountain Pursuit, expertly narrated by Cindy Kay. I’m beyond thrilled that the whole series is available on audible and I have them all pre-ordered and ready to start listening to the day they release. A special kind of bibliophile thrill.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Olympic Mountain Pursuit, 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 8 , 2023.

Texas Ranch Target + Giveaway

Somebody wants her dead…but they’ll have to go through him first.

After his client is murdered, security expert Brett Harmon plans to lie low at his family’s ranch — until he comes across an injured woman in the road. With only Brett’s business card in her pocket and no memory of her attack, Jaycee Richmond turns to her rescuers for answers. But when their search reveals a deadly connection, can Brett protect her from a killer she can’t remember?

A Cowboy Protectors novel.

My Review:

I can always count on Virginia Vaughn to deliver a fast-paced, nail-biting, edge-of-your seat suspense and this is definitely all that and more. From the tense opening scene to the high stakes climax, Texas Ranch Target was a devour-in-one-sitting kind of read for me.

I’m not a fan of the amnesia trope but I thought it was handled well here, and definitely added to the mystery of both Jaycee and the suspense. Vaughn expertly balances action and investigation as she builds up the intrigue towards the big reveal. I was as stymied as Brett and Jaycee by the end. Add in a light thread of romance and the promise of more ‘cowboy protectors’ in future books and count me one very happy reader. 🙂

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 Texas Ranch 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 June 24, 2023.

Cougar Mountain Ambush + Giveaway

A shooter in pursuit..and no where left to hide.

When Thad Hanson hears gunshots fired on his ranch, the last thing he expects to find is game warden Carrie Caldwell pinned down by an armed drone—and an unknown assailant closing in. Now Thad’s determined to stay between Carrie and the threat at all times. But with the shooter following their every move, can Thad get Carrie to safety…without leading them both into a trap?

My Review:

I read Kathie Ridings’ debut LIS a few months ago and ended my review begging for more Hanson brothers and here we are, back on Cougar Mountain with Levi, Blane, Sean and, of course, this book’s hero, Thad! Love the way this author writes these brothers — all teasing camaraderie with an underlying thread of steel, ’cause if you mess with one brother you’re going to have to take them all on. Thankfully, Carrie has them on her side.

She’s a game warden who has attracted some deadly attention and it happens on Hanson land so Thad feels responsible (and intervenes in a timely fashion!) He is a hero of my dreams — a veterinarian rancher! Really, can it get any better than that for an animal loving reader? What ensues is a perplexing volley of attacks on poor Carrie that has them all flummoxed and Thad appointing himself protector while they scramble to figure out what on earth is going on and why!

Carrie has an interesting back story that plays an important role in her reluctance to become romantically involved…even though Thad is oh-so-tempting! But running for your life tends to wear down one’s resistance so do not despair, there is a happily-ever-after.

An edge-of-your-seat suspense that kept me engaged to the very last page. (Blissful, happy sigh.) And there are two more unattached Hanson brothers who are crying out for their own stories. (More happy sighing.)

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 Cougar Mountain Ambush, 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 17, 2023.