Tag: Romantic Suspense

Break My Fall + Giveaway

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she’s back home, she’s made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But when Meredith enters his life, his walls crumble, and he’s left exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild. Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

My Review:

Put a Lynn H. Blackburn book in front of me and I’m in my happy place! Love the way she spins a story and the depth in her characters. This series is phenomenal on both counts – and full of thrilling surprises for diehard fans too. 🙂 This is me, still grinning.

First off, you need to know that this is the second book in her ‘Gossamer Falls’ series, though there’s also a novella in the multi-authored ‘Cornered’ collection that precedes this book as well. While you could read ‘Break My Fall’ as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the books in order for two reasons. First, this one has a major spoiler about the suspense from the novella, ‘Downfall’ and second, because there are a lot of characters and town history that is introduced really well in the first book.

It was so much fun being back in Gossamer Falls and getting reacquainted with the gang. Close friends/siblings/cousins and their meddlesome extended families bring so much heart and humour to the story. There’s banter and teasing and soul stirring heart to hearts. Relatable characters that are so easy to love including…

Meredith and Gray. This is their love story and it is equal parts infuriating and toe-curling. Honestly, I never thought they’d sort themselves out (Gray has issues) but, oh my, once he makes up his mind to pursue Meredith we venture into fainting couch territory! Consider yourself forewarned: abundant swoon alerts ahead!

I enjoyed the unusual approach the author took with the suspense. It was less investigative and more things happening around them until close to the end when action and danger spike in a breathtaking way. The threat to Meredith keeps Gray close and creates a kind of close proximity vibe to their romance throughout the book, giving lots of room for clashing wills and, eventually, lots of sparking!

A breathtaking suspense paired with an emotional blockbuster romance kept me engaged all the way through. And I do believe the author has teased us with a hint of what we can expect in the next Gossamer Falls book which we hopefully won’t have to wait long for.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to the audio book narrated by Kate Forbes who does an incredible job with all these characters. Always love when she’s the narrator.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Break My Fall,  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 3 2025.

Secrets Beneath the Snow

To solve this murder this K-9 must dig up buried secrets.

Suspicious of his friend’s fatal accident, ski patroller Graham McAllister is determined to unearth the truth when his friend’s long-missing sister suddenly appears…with gunmen in pursuit. Now it’s up to Graham and his K-9, Emmy, to keep Layla Quin safe as they survive the brutal mountain elements and outrun the criminals trying to silence them. Because Layla has a secret that could expose a shocking link to her brother’s death, and revealing it may come with a deadly price…

My Review:

Phew! This was a listen in one gulp kind of suspense and Lydia Lee did an amazing job with the narration. She really captured the essence of these characters and the tension of the suspense. She kept me enthralled every minute.

Brrrr – it may be April but Summers transported me back to the worst winter weather days with her descriptive action scenes. I had to check my toes to make sure they weren’t frostbitten.

The pacing is fast and furious as Graham and Layla struggle to evade a relentless killer. Lots of wilderness survival struggles but luckily they have Search and Rescue K-9 Emmy and her specialized training to back them up.

Edge of your seat suspense paired with a (kinds, sorta) reunion romance (they were friends with the potential for more so not quite full on second chance) makes for a riveting read…or listen…depending on your preference.

The Color of Sky and Stone + Giveaway

random retro read

She is the only one who truly sees him.Which makes her his greatest threat.

Black ops undercover agent Tane Temauri—code name Vapor—has made it his life’s mission to stay out of sight. Given the dangers inherent in his job, the last thing he can afford is to step into the open and become a target. Again.

Then a letter from a mysterious stranger changes everything. Although the letter was not meant for him, somehow, on a greater, cosmic scale, it feels as though it is.

But answering it will make Tane vulnerable.

How can he emerge from the shadows to risk everything for a woman he has never met?

My Review:

published in 2023

Totally not what I expected but I loved it anyway! Not quite a suspense but it sort of is. Definitely a romance….but not totally. Not fully epistolary but there are letter writing elements. Bwahaha — kinda undefinable.

What is definable: excellent writing, deep characterization, faith-infused page-turning perfection. Oh – and Canadian author as well as a Canadian setting!

Our introduction to Tane comes in the form of a tense, action-packed scene that had me on the edge of my seat and trying to figure out how Lia was going to be drawn into his sphere. But the book starts off from Lia’s POV in a random pub with vague hints as to her involvement with a ‘team’ that about drove me crazy because we don’t figure out what she actually does for a living until well into the book. Gah, the suspense was deliciously frustrating and I had so many crazy scenarios racing through my mind!

And that’s about all I can tell you without posting spoilers. Other than Lia and Tane connect in an unexpected way and….the story evolves. I was totally engrossed all the way through and have done a deep dive on the internet trying to figure out if there’s a second book because the ending isn’t exactly all tied up in a bow but not quite a cliffhanger either. Just gives me the impression that there must be more to come.

The cover says “In the Shadows : Book One” but ‘The Color of Sky and Stone’ is listed as a standalone on the author’s website. Ack! I need more Tane and Lia!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shall I Stay,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 26 2025.

Deadly Badlands Pursuit + Giveaway

A K-9 team has a witness to defend…and a murderer to track.

When Deputy US Marshal Gracie Fitzpatrick checks on a government witness, she unexpectedly walks into an ambush at Cameron Holmes’s ranch. She and her K-9 partner, Bane, fight off the assailant—but to protect Cameron, they must escape into South Dakota’s treacherous Badlands. Tracking dangerous enemies is what Gracie does, and Cameron’s life in witness protection has left targets on his back. With a killer waiting in the shadows, Gracie and Cameron must work fast to uncover the truth about who wants him dead…if they want to stay alive.

My Review:

A heart-in-throat page turner from the get go. Stover has an incredible gift of mixing intensity with humour which adds a unique zest to this romantic suspense. And Gracie’s sassy sarcasm and indefatigable spirit brings an upbeat vibe to even the direst situations.

She arrives at Cameron’s ranch for a routine wellness check and winds up with way more than she bargained for. Fighting off an unknown assailant and trying to gain the confidence of a surly and understandable, wary government witness is the ‘perfect’ way to end a long day. And things are only about to get a whole lot worse.

Loved the way the relationship develops in the midst of relentless danger. Both Gracie and Cameron have pasts that make it hard for them to trust easily which brings a bit of suspense into their romance. Will they or won’t they? How can they possibly with a future that only seems to hold uncertainties? Loved the twists and turns and the way the author wrapped things up by the end.

Goodness, I haven’t even mentioned Bane yet. Belgian Malinois and dedicated K-9 officer, there’s nothing Bane can’t track and he’s not bad to have in your corner during a fight either!

This is the second book in the Dakota K-9 Unit multi-authored continuity series but can easily be read as a standalone. There’s some great interaction with her team and now I’m excited to get to know each of them better when they have a chance to star in their own stories.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Mac Fowler who did a wonderful job bringing distinctive voices (and attitude) to every character. The ease she brings to her performance makes for a comfortable and satisfying listen.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Deadly Badlands 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 April 26 2025.

Trail of Threats

An arsonist at large…a K-9 team in the line of fire.

Single mom Sadie Owens’s fear of being watched is confirmed when her home is set ablaze—while she and her son are trapped inside. Officer Rocco Manelli and his arson dog arrive in the nick of time to make a rescue. But as attacks persist, it’s up to Rocco to keep Sadie and her three-year-old safe from a criminal with a lethal agenda. Can he keep a vengeful arsonist from scorching a deadly path through Elk Valley—before Sadie and her son become the next victims?

My Review:

The sixth book in ‘Mountain County K-9 Unit’ continuity series published in August 2024. The audio books are just releasing now.

So enjoyed Courtney Patterson’s animated narration of ‘Trail of Threats.’ The writing is phenomenal as is, but Patterson’s interpretation of these characters amplified my reading pleasure all the more. Love that so many more Love Inspired novels are being made available in this format!

Breath-snatching suspense with the kind of drawn out tension that keeps a reader on her toes right to the very end. The heart-in-throat gripping opening scene sets the stage for compelling creepy-ish suspense that gave me all the nervy feels (in a good way!)

I just read the fifth book in this series a few weeks ago where Rocco played a significant secondary role so it was fun to get his complete story here. Having said that, this works wonderfully well as a standalone novel as well.

Rocco’s connection to Sadie, and the way their relationship plays out is so believable and full of emotion… and quite a few laughs courtesy of sassy Sadie. Not to mention some flirty banter. Ohhhh, and don’t get me started on the toe-curling scenes artfully interspersed throughout! A fantastic blend of romance and suspense where both keep you on the edge all the way through.

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

Montana Abduction Rescue

Kidnappers out for vengeance. Can a K-9 team stop them?

Following the death of a crime boss he put behind bars, Ian Carpenter leaves witness protection—and runs right into an ambush. To escape assailants bent on revenge, he turns to his former handler, US marshal Meadow Ames, and her K-9 partner. But the stakes grow higher when Ian’s cousin is abducted. With threats closing in, can they rescue a kidnapped teen…and stop the criminals for good?

My Review:

This is the fifth book in the Love Inspired ‘Mountain K-9 Unit’ multi-authored series published in July 2024. It has recently been made available in audio format much to my delight. Even though this is the fifth book, it reads well as a standalone. While there is a romantic suspense plot unique to this story, there is also an over-arcing investigation that plays out through all the books. All the authors do a great job of catching readers up on the secondary suspense plot without detracting from the primary one.

Jodie Bailey knows how to build suspense through a delectably taut plot line full of unexpected twists. The inciting incident drew me in and set the tone for the rest of the story. It was a great way to immediately get deep into the psyche of both Ian and Meadow – a kind of baptism by fire into their personalities and motivations.

They have a professional history which was cut off when Ian went into the wit-sec programme and I really enjoyed watching their relationship warily take shape amidst all the chaos and danger. I especially appreciated the unique connection they have. I don’t want to say more for fear of spoilers – let’s just say there’s some nice role reversal on stereotypical suspense plot lines.

I really enjoyed Shannon Hemmings audio narration. She brought these characters alive and her performance added to the sense of danger and emotion evident in the story.

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

Unforgotten + Giveaway

Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace eight years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace–who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County–reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne’s old fears come rushing back.

Jay Raber had once been Peter’s best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him–even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be.

As Candace’s stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone’s worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt. From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.

My Review:

This classic Shelley Shepard Gray novel delivered on all my expectations. She has a distinctive storytelling style that I find so easy to lose myself in. Opening one of her books feels so welcoming and familiar. I think it’s the way she builds a community and fills it with solid secondary characters who play important roles in the over all story.

Love the way the author weaves two romances around a common theme while delivering a compelling suspense full of stalkerish vibes. Candace and Bethanne are cousins – one English, one Amish – both women facing challenging situations.

For Bethanne, the struggle to come back from an assault years ago has been a long, emotional battle. For Candace, her recent popularity after being crowned Miss Crittenden County has emboldened a stalker to take action. Their stories overlap especially as the suspense amps up. Brilliant pacing kept me on edge as I switched back and forth between Candace and Bethanne’s POVs, along with their dedicated heroes.

Sweet romance with emotional depth, a gentle but significant faith message and the thrill of suspense kept me engaged (literally read in one sitting) from start to end.

Of note: This is the second book in a series though I can’t find a series title. But the first book is ‘Unforgiven’ and there are some common characters shared in both ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Unforgotten’. I also have a feeling that the first book might have introduced some of Bethanne’s back story. Having said that, I haven’t read ‘Unforgiven’ and had no issues picking up this book. I’ll definitely be backtracking and also keeping an eye out for the third book, ‘Unshaken’ after reading the brief sneak peek at the end of this one.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Unforgotten,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 12 2025.

Dangerous Arson Trail + Giveaway

Can an officer and his K-9 partner catch a criminal with a deadly plan?

Emergency dispatcher Darcy Lane is abducted and left for dead in a burning house by a vengeful copycat of an arsonist she helped identify years ago. K-9 officer Lucas Harper, the man who once broke her heart, rescues her just in time. Staying one step ahead of a culprit proves nearly impossible, but Lucas will risk everything to keep Darcy safe. With the clock ticking, can they identify who’s terrorizing her…before the cold-blooded killer’s long-awaited revenge is complete?

My Review:

Canadian author. Canadian setting. What’s not to love? Always excited to find a story set on my home turf.

Oh my goodness — the tension! Black skillfully builds it up to an explosive conclusion and I was on the edge of my seat all the way through. Perfectly paced, action and danger bookend the romance and it all increased my anxiety!

Love that Darcy and Lucas have a muddled history, it adds a delicious knot of strain to their situation. Gotta love a complicated romance that seems doomed from the start…even though both hero and heroine can’t shake a resurgence of feelings that seem impossible to fulfill. Especially with Darcy being targeted by an unknown assailant. The perfect setup for a stellar romantic suspense.

‘Dangerous Arson Trail’ is the third book in ‘Unsolved Case Files’ series but can easily be read as a standalone novel. I enjoyed meeting up with this cold case team again. The author does a great job of creating a cohesive team of eclectic characters and I’m eager to learn more of their stories as the series progresses.

I listened to the audio edition of this book courtesy of Harlequin Audio and Net Galley and really enjoyed Noni Alley’s narration. She conveyed all the edgy emotion realistically which really helped me connect to the characters and situations they were dealing with. A compulsive non-stop listening experience for me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Dangerous Arson Trail,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 12 2025.

Searching for Justice + Giveaway

A cold-case reopened. A K-9 in pursuit of the truth.

When a teen goes missing from the same place where her own foster sister disappeared, K-9 handler Brynne Taylor is on the case…until she’s caught in a lethal trap. Someone doesn’t want her or her Saint Bernard, Fergie, snooping around, and they’re willing to kill to keep their secrets. Saved by rancher Jace Jackson, Brynne reluctantly accepts the single father’s help solving both cases. But they’re under fire every dangerous step of the way—and eluding this killer may be as impossible as outrunning Brynne’s past…

My Review:

Wow! This is the 15h K-9 Search and Rescue book from Love Inspired Suspense and I hope they keep them coming. I’m always on board for good K-9 mystery and this one is fantastic. How could it not be with Fergie leading the way?! A St. Bernard who has a lot to prove along with human partner, Brynne, since they are the newest hires in this small Texas town. Especially since Brynne has history that seems to be all tangled up in the latest missing teen case.

I really enjoyed the way Queen strikes a balance between the romance and the suspense. The Second Chance trope plays out realistically. Past traumas – especially for Brynne – make things extra challenging. Loved the way the past is gradually merged into the present and there were so many ‘aha’ moments that made the suspense even more thrilling for me…and left me on tenterhooks regarding the happily ever after outcome. I knew it was coming…this is a Love Inspired novel, after all…but just how satisfactorily would it be wrapped up? Splendidly, I’d say!

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Cyndi Stark. Her performance complimented these characters and drew out the tension at just the right moments. An excellent listen that I’d recommend to audio ‘readers’ like me.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Searching for Justice, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 15 2025.

Deadly Revenge + Giveaway

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That’s where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

My Review:

Phew! A gripping police procedural that turned this into an unstoppable read. Absolutely love the investigative aspects to this suspense. It’s the focus of the plot though there is also a creepy undertone simmering in the background. Sent delicious chills up my spine a time or two. And when it comes time for action, it explodes off the page in a breath-snatching fury. I’ve just now managed to get my heart rate down.

Max and Jenna worked together before in another police department and there was definitely a smouldering attraction between the two until…well stuff happened. Fast forward a few years and they have both experienced enough grief in the romance department to be wary of rekindling an old flame. The tension between these two is palpable from the onset – equal parts awkward and anticipatory. All while they’re grappling with a complicated case that seems to stretch into the past.

‘Deadly Revenge’ is riveting on so many levels. Love the way the author develops the relationship between Max and Jenna. It’s slow and measured and built on respect. And believably sidelined (most of the time) in deference to the case they are working on. And there are so many intricate layers to the suspense plot that kept me on the edge of my seat and frantically trying to put the pieces together before Max and Jenna did. I was right…some of the time…but wrong a lot more. Love when a suspense gives my mind a good workout!

This is the third and last book in the Pearl River series but works fine as a standalone. We do get to see a lot of Alex (heroine from book one) as a secondary character though, in her role as sheriff. And there’s a wonderful epilogue that brings all the series’ heroes and heroines together for one final ‘hurrah’ for readers.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

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

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

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Deadly Revenge, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 15 2025.