Tag: Romantic Suspense

Snowed in at Silver Lake + Giveaway

INDIE!

Getting snowed in with a stranger is dangerous—especially for her heart.

Gracie Turner just broke up with her fiancé before Christmas, so after a severe snowstorm causes her car to skid off the road into the deadly waters of Silver Lake, she can’t help falling for her rugged, handsome rescuer. There’s only one problem. He’s a fugitive running from the law.

Barron Hart has a plan to bring his brother’s killers to justice, and it does not involve Gracie. But when the snowy winds batter the backwoods cabin he’s using as his hideout, he has no choice but to wait out the storm with the Sheriff’s daughter. Against her will. Although, if he’s being honest with himself, she’s the one holding his heart captive.

After their first explosive encounter, nothing will warm Gracie up… or stop the sparks flying between them. There are too many secrets keeping them apart. Barron is further dismayed when Gracie uncovers his tragic past. She has the faith to help him heal, but he’s not ready to give up his revenge. Will the mysteries that brought them together, now have the power to tear them apart?

My Review:

True confession: One of my bookish weaknesses is a heroine in peril rescued by a brooding, gruff hero. And once the cold weather hits, for some inexplicable reason, I crave a stranded in s snowstorm scenario. And, mercy, but does this novel ever deliver! Plus there’s a kinda bad boy vibe going on with our hero which brings an extra thrill.

Loved the tense opening scene, with Gracie trying to navigate her way along treacherous roads. Through a phone conversation with her sheriff father, we learn that not only are the roads practically impassable, but there’s a dangerous fugitive on the loose. Eeeepppp….cue a dramatic drumroll as Gracie’s car slides off the road and….well, then the fun really begins.

Great action scenes, multiple rescues and not only being snowed in for Christmas, but for a couple of weeks! Lots of time for Barron and Gracie to work through their uncertainties, gradually easing their relationship from wary strangers to something much more meaningful.

The author blends in some lovely inspirational themes as well, especially through Barron’s point of view as he struggles to make sense of a troubled past and his deep grief. The redemption of his brokenness brought extra depth to the story.

My first Stephanie Fowers novel, but it won’t be my last. In fact she has a series of ‘snowed in’ books that I have my eye on now. Hoping to get to at least one more before Christmas.

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 Snowed in at Silver Lake, 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 November 23 2024.

Sniffing Out Justice

A witness in peril. A K-9 protector. A fight for survival.

After witnessing her best friend’s murder, Kristina Ashbaugh-Richards and her search and rescue dog, Bella, find themselves targeted by the killer. Kris can identify the criminal — and she’s exactly what he looks for in his victims. Her high school crush, Detective Tony Sanderson, vows to protect Kris and her son, but as they try to outwit a dangerous murderer, no place is safe to hide. With her life at stake, Kris’s only hope of survival is to catch the serial killer before he catches her.

My Review:

I always sit up and take notice when Carol J. Post releases a new Love Inspired Suspense novel. Love her brand of romantic suspense — she gets the tension, both emotional and case-related just right.

So, we have a second chance love story that comes with it’s own kind of angst along with the danger and torment of an unidentified stalker/possible serial killer, just to stir things up even more. Oh — and there’s a hurricane. Edge of your seat stuff all the way to the end. Add in the K-9 search and rescue theme and an adorable toddler and this romantic suspense delivers all the feels.

Vivid descriptions, compelling dialogue, lighter tender moments and, of course, the intensity of the suspense, all combine to make this one unputdownable read.

Well, make that listen for me. So thrilled to have some of the Love Inspired and Love Inspired Romantic Suspense lines available in audio format. I really enjoyed Emma Lysy’s narration.

Margin of Error

RANDOM RETRO READ

Some secrets have deadly consequences. 

Brynlee Parker thought her biggest challenge would be hiking to Dead Man’s Bluff and fulfilling her dad’s last wishes. She never thought she’d witness two men being viciously murdered while on a mountainous trail. Even worse, the deadly predator is now hunting her. 

Boone Wilder wants nothing to do with Dead Man’s Bluff, not after his wife died there. But he can’t seem to mind his own business when a mysterious out-of-towner burst into his camp store in a frenzied panic. Something—or someone—deadly is out there. 

The killer’s hunger for blood seems to be growing at a brutal pace. Can Brynlee and Boone figure out who’s behind these murders? Or will the hurts and secrets from their past not allow for even a margin of error?

My Review:

published in 2019

This is me, slowly (like at a snail’s pace) catching up with Christy Barritt’s backlist. I read the first book in the Fog Lake Mysteries series about four years ago and I’ve never forgotten it. Loved the eerie vibe in that book and the way the author set things up for future books. So, why has it been on my TBR wishlist for so long? I have no idea! But here I am years later finally getting back to Fog Lake and in some ways it felt like I never left.

And I was really excited for Boone’s story. He’s the kind of tortured soul hero that makes my heart ache and my pulse spike. Taciturn and grumpy, he’s hoarding a world of hurt but he can’t dodge the knight in shining armour gene. Cue Brynlee’s frantic entry into his camp store with a tall tale that sounds preposterous but she’s clearly terrified…and, phew, we’re off on an incredible twisty turny ride.

Creepy stalker vibe all the way! Love the unusual twist to the suspense –made it all the more edgier. And Barritt kept me on my toes trying to figure out what was going on and who the murderer was.

And Brynlee and Boone! Swoony sigh. Loved the romance for all it’s angstiness and Brynlee’s secret threatens to pull them apart. So many dimensions to their relationship that made their hard won happily ever after so satisfying.

I listened to the audible edition of this book expertly narrated by Sandy Rustin. She brought these characters to life and delivered a thrilling listening experience.

Target Acquired + Giveaway

Tough-as-nails Kenzie King has finally earned her place as a tactical medic on a SWAT team. But not everyone on the all-male team accepts her. Rumor is, she didn’t get the position because of what she could do but because of who she knew. Which means she has to work harder and longer than anyone else to prove herself.

Cole Garrison is a man with deep faith who is finally ready to settle down and build a family of his own–if he can find the right person, that is. Kenzie sure has set off his interest meter, but trouble seems to follow in her wake. Since she joined the team, someone has begun to ambush and pick off team members, one by one.

It’s all hands on deck to discover the culprit and end the killing. Can Kenzie and Cole put aside their differences and work together as a team? Or will their budding attraction be snuffed out by a sniper’s bullet?

As you’ve come to expect from bestselling author Lynette Eason’s stories, this tightly wound plot unfurls at breakneck speed and will leave you breathless.

My Review:

Totally gripping. Tension in the suspense, in the romance, in Kenzie’s personal life — all of it had me on the edge of my seat straight through to the end of ‘Target Acquired.’ (And what an apt title!)

Have you ever seen the TV show ‘Flashpoint’? It was a Canadian police procedural (2008-2012) featuring the day-to-day lives of a SWAT team that also included only one female member. Well, this novel made me nostalgic for that show. It has the same intriguing mix of personal life experiences with high octane SWAT callouts. And Eason builds it to an exquisite fever pitch of excitement. Seriously, the way she weaves everything together makes for exceptionally good reading.

I especially enjoyed the team dynamics…well, maybe ‘enjoyed’ isn’t quite the right word since Kenzie is having a hard time with some of the team’s male prejudices. They feel like her female presence is messing with their precious brotherhood dynamics. Grrrr. But she’s tough and relentless in her determination to carve out a place on the team.

And that resolve doesn’t diminish, even when she becomes a target. Lots of complicated emotional layers to delve through. Kenzie hasn’t had an easy life. Love the way Cole champions her. He’s fair and open-minded, though keeping the team working as a cohesive whole is testing his leadership skills.

And the suspense! Oy — current cases, a cold case, the attacks on Kenzie and the team — it all seems like a chaotic mess…until the author oh so cleverly begins pulling everything together and then — kapow — mind blown, gaping gobsmacked and reeling in stunned stupefaction. Just the way you want to see a suspense wind up.

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 the Target Acquired, 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 October 19 2024.

Over the Edge + Giveaway

Trauma survivor Lindsey Barnes hasn’t fully recovered from the ordeal that almost took her life, and now she’s in the middle of another crisis. Not only is she the sole witness in a high-profile murder case, but someone is also pushing her to question her sanity.

Police detective Jack Tucker doesn’t know what to make of her story, especially when her elusive enemy leaves no evidence behind to lend credence to her claims. Yet the more he gets to know the appealing personal chef, the more he’s convinced someone is targeting not only her sanity, but her life.

And unless they can figure out who is behind the campaign to undermine her credibility, a murderer could slip away–leaving more than one body in his or her wake.

With her signature spellbinding style, the bestselling and award-winning “queen of inspirational romantic suspense” (Library Journal) delivers another riveting tale that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

My Review:

Whoa! That was just…I don’t even have the words. Spellbinding? Thrilling? Compelling? Unputdownable? Those all might be true but they are so inadequate to describe how I feel about this book.

I mean, the way Hannon incorporated a creepy mind games factor into the suspense plot was diabolical! And upped the tension and my engagement to such a level that this became a compulsive read (well, listen) for me. (True confession: I might have notched the audio speed up to 3x at the climatic end just to see it through asap and then I backtracked and listened to it again at my regular speed — once I caught my breath and got my heart rate back down to normal.)

This author’s writing is pure magic. The way she delves into complex back stories — not only of her main characters but secondary ones as well– is phenomenal. She makes me care about all of them to the point I feel like they are real people and worry over every little detail of their lives. Keeps me totally invested in the story.

And the (shudder) glimpses into the villain’s point of view — the way she slowly adds small details that might possible be clues to their identity — masterfully done. Kept me on tenterhooks all the way through. I had my suspicions and ended up with three possible suspects…and one of them was kinda sorta right, but not really. Ha! You’ll just have to read this book to understand how that can even be possible.

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Over the Edge’ because: narrator extraordinaire, Therese Plummer. Her stellar performances are not to be missed. She is often the deciding factor between buying a paperback or an audio book for me. And she makes relistening to my fave authors’ stories that much more enticing.

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 the Over the Edge, 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 October 12 2024.

Honor’s Refuge + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

When she was just five years old, Melissa Braxton watched her father take her mother’s life. Separated from her sister, Lola, at that time, Melissa grew up with a strong desire to help those stuck in abusive relationships. It’s why she became a family therapist and opened a domestic abuse shelter.

After losing a leg to a gunshot wound in the line of duty, Phil Osbourne has felt like a man without a purpose–until he hears Melissa’s story and decides to use his Special Forces contacts to track down her missing sister. He knows what he discovers will break Melissa’s heart. What he doesn’t realize is that helping the women reunite will bring the cartel down on them like the Category 5 hurricane striking Miami.

Bruised yet not quite broken, Melissa and Phil battle the storm and the cartel, calling on strength they didn’t know they had to escape death, save the innocent, and–just maybe–find healing in each other’s arms.

My Review:

published in 2022

I was intrigued by Phil when I met him in the first ‘Love and Honor’ book so I was thrilled to come upon his story in ‘Honor’s Refuge’…and it’s a doozy! Action, adventure, romance and sooooo much tension both with the suspense and the romance turned this into a ‘listen in one day’ kind of read for me.

There are some heart stopping moments too — honestly, I was emotionally wrung out by the end. Bridgeman knows how to write in a way that allows a reader to feel her through the story and I’m, thankfully, mostly healed from some of the more shocking emotional sucker punches she threw. 🙂 Phew! Intense doesn’t begin to describe it. But I love the way the author also seamlessly wove an inspirational thread in and around these characters as well.

While this is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. There’s much less team involvement than the other two books though we get a a couple of cameos of former heroes who play a significant role at the beginning of this story.

I enjoyed the time I spent listening to the audio book narrated by Libby McKnight.

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 the Honor’s Refuge, 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 September 21 2024.

Fugitive Search + Giveaway

A murderer out for revenge…who is closer than they think.

When the man who killed her father is finally arrested, Catherine Hart thinks it’s safe to come out of hiding…until he escapes and abducts her. But private investigator Garrett Wolfe and his tracking dog rescue her just in time. Now they must work together to escape the criminal on their heels, find Catherine’s kidnapped uncle and stop her sister from walking straight into the fugitive’s path. But when their search yields more questions, can Catherine and Garrett survive the terrifying truth?

My Review:

Whoa! Intense!! Still catching my breath!!!

Dana Mentink is a whiz at creating compelling suspense with sparks of humour. I often end up laugh/gasping at the same time because she’s that good. Impeccable pacing, great blending of romance and suspense…and that all important mood-lightening humour. All wrapped up in the cozy comfort of a meaningful faith thread. Spectacular!

Oh — and she speaks dog…or maybe she has a canine ghost writer? Because Pinky (officially it’s Pinkerton, but he’s more of a love ’em and lick ’em into submission kinda guy so Pinky suits him best!) anyway, Pinky makes me want to own a bloodhound…slobber and all. A warrior’s heart, a hunter’s snout and as stubborn as they come. What’s not to love?

I was thrilled to find this Love Inspired Suspense has an audible edition. It was a happy day when my preorder came through. Abby Craden does an incredible job narrating this story and I’m looking forward to more LIS books being made available in this format in future months. So excited — I have 29 on preorder already. Mind you, that’s going way into 2025, but it looks like there will be at least two a month from now on. Woohoo!

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 the Fugitive Search, 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 September 7 2024.

Captured in Frame + Giveaway

In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and reconnect with her sisters in a place that held sweet childhood memories—not expose herself to the ugly underbelly of the art world and put her family in danger.

Local pediatric surgeon, Doctor William Hughes, is captivated by the Canadian beauty with a camera over one shoulder and the weight of the world on the other. After suffering his own tragic loss and balancing a demanding career with raising a toddler, he recognizes the heaviness of grief . . . and the burden of guilt.

When Georgia discovers she could be in possession of incriminating evidence to frame a criminal ring, she needs to trust someone. She chooses Will. Postcards, photographs, paintings—something about Bramble Cottage is worth killing for. Can Georgia uncover the truth in time?

My Review:

First off — fantastic cover art! Drew me right in and made me insta buy the book! Well, that and the fact that Laura Thomas is a Canadian author and the back blurb is so enticing!

Atmospheric from the very first chapter. I love the way Thomas draws out the suspense — there’s almost a Gothic feel to it. Georgia, beleaguered by unexplained occurrences at a time in her life when she is most vulnerable. A handsome widowed doctor who proves to be a friend and ally despite his own traumatic past. Seemingly benign messages that only Georgia recognizes as sinister. Doesn’t that sound like a classic Mary Stewart or Phyllis A. Whitney novel?!

And the faith content is exceptional. I could so relate with Georgia’s needing to be in control, wrestling with God for ownership of, well, everything.

“I’m not good with being out of control. I’ll admit, I’m a control freak. Always have been.”

“That’s when God steps in though, isn’t it? When we come to the end of ourselves and remember He’s sovereign…”

Love, love, love that last line. The imagery of God stepping in when we come to the end of ourselves…made such an impact on me. Like a wake up call and I so love when my fiction speaks spiritual truths into my life. I’ve been reading a lot of secular ‘clean’ fiction and Christian Fiction that’s been very light on faith elements lately and I didn’t realize how much I missed these precious inspirational threads. So grateful for authors like Laura Thomas who weave God into their stories.

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 the Captured in Frame, 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 31 2024.

Critical Alliance + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Mackenzie Hanson’s special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father’s tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he’s trying to relax, he’s drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common–a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need–before someone silences Mackenzie for good.

My Review:

published in 2022

Whoa! Intense edge-of-your-seat stuff all the way through! Definitely a read in one sitting kind of book. The way Goddard amps up the tension (in both suspense and romance) is masterful. I was hanging on every word right up until the very end.

If I wasn’t angsting over malicious pranks and lethal threats, I was in emotional turmoil over Alex and Mackenzie’s stuttering relationship. This author writes in such a way that I experience all the feelings right along with these characters. And their back stories! Mackenzie’s in particular really resonated with me. And her faith journey is phenomenal.

There was an edgy kind of creep factor to the suspense since it deals with cyber security hacking and made me realize how vulnerable our high tech lives make us. From computerized cars to medical devices and ‘smart’ houses…so many ways our lives can go sideways at the hands of a determined hacker. Made for a riveting read though.

This is the third and final book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series but reads well as a standalone. I had read the first two books when they released but this one somehow got left by the wayside for two years! Glad I finally rectified that oversight.

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Cynthia Farrell.

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 the Critical Alliance, 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 31 2024.

Flashover + Giveaway

She never expected her second chance to show up…

When her special ops brother was killed, Sophie Lamb left everything—and everyone—behind to start over. Now the owner of a ranch that rescues neglected horses, they’ve become her entire life. And sure, she’s still haunted by the death of her brother, but she doesn’t have time to miss those she’s lost—including her high school crush, Houston James, who she absolutely never thinks about. Okay, almost never.

In the middle of a wildfire….

Houston James can’t catch a break. Sure, he survived a house fire, and became a youth pastor, but a recent false accusation in ministry has sent him into a summer fighting fires. The last thing he expects is to find the girl he can’t forget…

When the blazing Montana wildfire threatens her ranch, Sophie refuses to abandon her rescued animals. But the last person she expects to show up and demand her evacuation is of course, Houston James.

Then her prized stallion goes missing, and she and Houston must work together to track him down before the fire catches up to them. And when they stumble upon a shocking discovery, they are forced to work together, and confront their heartbreaking past, if they hope to survive.

In this relentless fight against external threats and the ghosts of their pasts, Houston and Sophie stand on the brink of a second chance. But the fight isn’t over when the threat she left behind finds her…now, what will her second chance at love cost her?

Don’t miss out on this gripping tale of survival and redemption in the heart-pounding second installment of the Chasing Fire: Montana series.

My Review:

Whoa — intense (in the best kind of way!) An unputdownable whirlwind of a read! Well, listen in my case, since I ‘read’ the audible edition narrated by Garret Kiesel. Made for some compulsive listening!

So much to love about the story — from a second chance romance to a horse rescue ranch in the path of an out of control wildfire….just, phew! There’s literally no good place to stop so be prepared for a binge read/listen.

A thrilling mix of action and suspense. Through it all, Sophie and Houston have to navigate an uneasy alliance after a past heartbreak. And their back stories, especially Houston’s! It delivers a couple of emotional sucker punches. My heart hurt for him. Riveting stuff all the way through and the fire scenes — oy!!!! So horrifically realistic that I felt my skin blistering.

This is the second book in the ‘Chasing Fires: Montana’ series and I think this series is also a spin-off from another one but I read it fine as a standalone. I think there might be a bit of a crossover from book to book but not enough to confuse a new reader.

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 the Flashover, 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 17 2024.