A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble

 Victoria Bergstrom returns to Jeckyl Island Georgia where her father owns a luxury hotel to investigate her best friend's death. Her death was ruled as self-inflicted but Victoria thinks her friend LIzbeth died as a result of foul play. In order to investigate she comes under an assumed name of Tori Berg which is just a shortened variation of her real name.

Collen Coble novels usually keep me up late in the night because they are suspenseful but this one fell a little short. Also I felt the romance between Tori and Joe Abbott was a little lacking. Granted there were a few suspenseful moments that kept me engaged but they were few and far between.

I was given an early release copy of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this early! All opinions expressed here are my own.

Forgiving Paris by Karen Kingsbury

 Karen Kingsbury has been writing about the Baxter family for nearly 20 years. I have lost count of the number of Baxter books she has written but one character has been in all of them and that is Ashley Baxter. We first meet Ashley in the first book Redemption or it could have been the second book, Remember. She had returned from spending time in Paris France as an artist and was pregnant. She had the support of her family. We were not given the details of her affair with the married Frenchman but in this book we learn more of her time there. We meet several of the people she met when she was there and the impact her life made on these people some 20 years later. Also, there is an appearance of some of the angels from the Angels Walking series. Who would enjoy this series? Anyone who loves a clean book that glorifies God and anyone who enjoys reading about the Baxter.

Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris

 Since you've been gone is the third full length novel in the Restoring Heritage series. I think this one may be my favorite in the series.  This book like the other books has two love stories in one and takes place in the small town of Heritage.  The first couple is Joh Kensington and Leah Williams. I loved their story and how they worked through the past they had with each other. The other story is Colby March and Madison Westmore. Madison is not liked in town. She left town and returned to fix up and sell her deceased father's house. She is pregnant but does not make it know but she meets Colby not knowing he was a famous Christian singer and hires him to help her fix up her house. She tells him upfront she is pregnant. She is repentant for her past actions and holds no ill feeling for what people think of her. I like her character.

I received this ARC through the Early Reader program at LibraryThing. 

Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter

 

You've read books that end on a cliffhanger. Well this one literally starts on a cliffhanger. Katelyn is on her way to visit Gavin and his family and skids off the road and her car is hanging on the edge. One wrong move could send her over.. Cooper Robinson comes her and keeps her calm while waiting for more help to arrive.  He is immediately attracted to her.  Later he finds out that this girl is his brother's new girlfriend. The more he is around her the more attracted he is to her. There is a chemistry between those two that is not in her relationship with Gavin.  He finds himself falling in love with her but he feels in his heart that he can never have her since she is in a relationship with Gavin.

I enjoyed this story as I have all of Denise Hunter's books. I'm looking forward to reading the story of Cooper's other siblings.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher

This is the first book by Robin Lee Hatcher that I have read and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed "Make You Feel My Love" which is a time slip novel. Most of the novels that this author has written take place in the 1800s. This one has both modern and the 1800s. Cora Anderson escapes New York society from a domineering father who wants to marry her off to someone she doe not love. She escapes to Chickadee Creek with only her violin. She becomes a schoolteacher and meets Preston Chandler.

In the modern day story Chelsea Spenser's story is very similar in that she escapes to Chickadee Creek but she is escaping an abusive relationship. She helps her great aunt with her antique shop. She meets Liam Chandler, a well-known actor who has family roots in the area. Liam is dealing with his own set of problems having lost his younger brother and the breakup of his parent's marriage. He finds out some other news that he must deal with.

Of the two stories I think I enjoyed the modern day one. I enjoyed reading about Liam's struggle and how he dealt with it. Also the modern story had a hint of mystery at the end that kept me reading.

I hope the author intends to write more novels of this caliber.

I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are my own and I received no compensation.

This Time Around by Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson and Kathleen Fuller

This Time Around is a collection of three novelas by Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson and Kathleen Fuller. Denise Hunter is one of my favorite romance writers so I jumped on the opportunity to read this collection. Summer's Dream was a cute story. In this story Allie has committed to driving a restored vintage car to her grandparents. Problem is that she doesn't know how to drive a stick shift so she has to humble herself and ask her ex-boyfriend Luke to help her drive the car to its destination. This story was really cute and I enjoyed it. The second story by Melissa Ferguson is Pining for You. It was an okay story but I did not enjoy it as much as the other two novelas in this book. The third story was He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller. In this story Sophie is a 35 years old, never married and content running Petals and Posies, her flower shop. Suddenly she has two men vying for her attention but which one is worthy? Is it the flashy slick lawyer Landon or the humble Joe she has known since kindergarden? I have never read any books by Kathleen Fuller. She mainly writes Amish fiction but this one was a modern one and a story that I could relate to. I plan to read more of her works.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

 

Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller

 Riley McAllister is a struggling artist in New York City and has been there for about 10 years. She never wanted to return to Maple Falls but is called back to help her grandmother who she lovingly calls Mimi to help with Mimi's yarn store after Mimi broke her leg of all things playing baseball. I loved Mimi and her group of lady friends just added humor to the storyline. Hayden Price who went to high school with Riley also returns to Maple Falls after suffering a sports injury to where he is not able to play baseball anymore. He works in his father's hardware store. Now Hayden is an upstanding and well-liked man among Mimi's friend group. Hayden is attracted to Hayden but she puts him at arms length most of the story. It was very hard for me to like Riley. Hayden was so nice and wanted to help her and be a friend to her. I don't know why he didn't give up on her. She was that standoffish. You find out toward the end what her issues are but really were her issues that bad that you have to push people who are just trying to be nice to you away? Overall I enjoyed the story and plan to read the next book in the series. I just hope the next character has a little more warmth.

A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham

 A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham is heartwarming. I loved the relationship of Hazel and Gilbert that went from friendship to a deep and lasting love. Rachel made some bad choices in life and as a result she was sentenced to a reformatory for five years for a crime she did not commit. She came from a loving wealthy family but she was abandoned by them during that time because they did not want her to bring shame on the rest of the family for her deeds. Rachel was flighty and flirty in her younger years but she grew as a woman of strength during her time in the reformatory. She gets a job as a lady in attendance in Gilbert's dental practice. She brings a a hint of fresh air to his practice and is so good with his patients. I loved it that eventually she is comfortable enough with Gilbert to reveal her past. I loved it that he looked past her mistakes and was willing to help her prove her innocence. I loved they mystery and suspense in this book. The book had one annoying character that I disliked and that was Gilbert's brother Eddie. Eddie knew Hazel from her past and was always saying hateful things to her. I disliked Eddie but he did pay a part in solving the mystery of proving Hazel's innocence. I highly recommend this book. It did start out slow for me but quickly picked up speed for me.

Thanks for the Early Reviewer Program at Librarything for providing me a copy of this book to read and review.

A Distant Shore by Karen Kingsbury

 

Who knew Karen Kingsbury could write romantic suspense?

This book is different from the usual fare that the author writes. This one is darker and deals with a heavy subject. Human trafficking is a disturbing topic but the author handled it well.

Eliza had a tragic past. Without giving too much of the story away Eliza lives with her father. She was aware that her father was evil but she was trapped. So far she had been spared but she knew her days were short and that one day her father would sell her out to the highest bidder. Her only comfort is remembering what her godly mother told her about God.

Jack comes to Belize as an FBI agent with an assignment to break up the sex trafficking operation that Eliza's father has set up. He has to gain the trust of Eliza but she does not trust men.

There are many twists in this story that keep it interesting. Readers who enjoy romantic suspense will definitely enjoy this compelling story.

Thanks to netgalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read and preview this book.

Obsession by Patricia Bradley

 Obsession is the second in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. This book captured my interest from the beginning. The heroine Emma Winters has a stalker but I don't think she ever realized the danger she was in. She was formerly involved with Sam Ryker but broke off with him ten years earlier when her twin brother went missing. She holds on to the hope that her brother is still alive. Around 75 percent into the book I thought I knew who was the stalker but I was wrong. There are some twists in turns in this book that keeps it interesting and suspenseful. I only got three hours of sleep one night because I wanted to finish this book. 

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock

I always jump at the chance to read a Terri Blackstock novel. An explosion happens at a concert. Taylor was there when it happened. She survived. Her friends did not and she has survivor's guilt. Complicating the problem is that the fact that she has OCD. Dustin Webb is immediately picked up after an anonymous tip that he may be responsible. He calls his friend Jaime Powell a childhood friend who is a criminal defense attorney. He had some rough times as a teenager getting into trouble but has since cleaned up his act, became a Christian and runs a successful business with his partner, Travis.

I has suspicions when reading the book as to who one of the culprits was and I was right. There are still some twists in the book that I did not see coming.

Fans of Terri Blackstock suspense novels will enjoy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Expected publication is May 11, 2021.

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter is my favorite romance writer so I jumped at the chance to read and review her newest book Bookshop by the Sea. This book is about second chances. Aiden and Sophie had been sweethearts in college but on one day Sophie's dad walked out on the family and Aiden left the same day. Sophie gave up going to college to stay home to take care of her terminally ill mother and her two siblings. Sophie and Aiden had to work through some past baggage to get past. I loved how finally she was able to stand up to her family. I loved the happy ending and how they were able to work things out. I loved the quaint small town and how they helped Sophie out in a time of need.

Readers who have read the Bluebell Inn series will enjoy a cameo appearance of Adam and Molly.  I'm hoping Denise Hunter will write more novels set in this quaint town.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Expected publication is April 13, 2021. 

Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble

Three Missing Days is the final book in The Pelican Harbor series. I suggest that if you have not read the first two in the series that you read them in order. The mystery started in the first book which revolves around the cult is wrapped up in the third and final book.

Jane and Reid are growing closer in this book but his ex-wife Lauren is an obstacle. She disappeared out of his life for 7 years and was declared legally dead but she is claiming she is still married and is demanding a big chunk of his assets to go away.

Then the worst thing happens is that their son is accused of murdering a woman. They know he is innocent but they must work feverously to prove his innocence.

I stayed up late reading this book and read all but the last hour in one session. I highly recommend this book for all people who love romantic suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Expected publication is April 6, 2021

jActive Defense by Lynette Eason

 

I always jump at a chance to read a Lynette Eason but I can count on a book of hers to keep me in suspense and to keep me guessing. This one did not disappoint. I think
it may be my favorite in the Danger Never Sleeps series. I did not see that end coming. Heather Fontaine is the main character in the book and serves for a time as a surgeon in Afghanistan. After she returns to the states she is being stalked. I could not put this book down. I was surprised by who the villain behind her stalking was. Once you find out who the stalker is by the end of the book the surprised don't end. I am looking forward to reading book 4 that will be released in a few months.