Tag: Romantic Suspense

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

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.

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 Silent Menace, 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 May 30 2026

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.

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 Deadly Currents, 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 May 23 2026

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.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

Please note: This book releases on May 26

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Danger in the Rockies, 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 May 16 2026