Protecting You by Robin Patchen - A Book Review

Robin Patchen's Nutfield Saga and Coventry Saga books were are all wonderful, all twenty-one of them. Her current series, The Wright Heroes of Maine is unbelievably even better! The first four books each highlight a different Wright brother, this one, book number five, highlights one of their cousins, a cyber security expert, Alyssa Wright. Many of the books deal with intrigue involving terror_ _ _ (an -ism word that some sites flag and reject reviews for). The heroes of this series put themselves in harm's way to serve their country and to protect those they love. While the books in each of these series fall within the romantic suspense genre, never does the romance overshadow the suspense and intrigue.

In Protecting You, Alyssa leaves her government job to start her own business as a cyber investigator. Unfortunately, her best client, the one that keeps her in business, is not the person she thought him to be. CIA agent Callan Templeton has requested a desk job as he sorts out unexpected personal issues, but when he sees his former college crush in a restaurant with this client, he can't leave her alone with him. This leads the two of them into desperate circumstances in which they must call on all of their personal expertise as well as that of Alyssa's family and their contacts. I most highly recommend this book, this series, and Patchen's previous series. While Protecting You can be read as a stand-alone read, I suggest reading the books in this series in order. Be prepared to want to binge read, forget Netflix. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Defending the Child by Sharon Dunn - A Book Review

  

Sharon Dunn has gifted readers with non-stop action in Defending the Child. Marielle Coleman, a child psychologist, encounters her former fiance and DEA agent, Graham Flynn, as she strives to protect her foster son from the man who murdered his mother. Chaos ensues. The themes of God's timing and the ways He uses suffering and loss are woven into this story, leaving readers to ponder their own response to these themes within their own lives. On a personal note, I was also reading Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp as I read this book. It was amazing how the themes of these two books, one fiction and one non-fiction, interplayed with one another, enriching the impact of the fictional tale.

I recommend Defending the Child for fans of romantic suspense in need of a quick read. By giving the male and female protagonists a past relationship, the author is able to speed up the relationship building process without sacrificing the authenticity or integrity of the characters. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz - A Book Review

  

From the 1710s to the 1770s Scottish merchants who traded in tobacco grown in the colonies were known as Tobacco Lords. They were innovators in capitalism who became very wealthy. The American War of Independence marked the beginning of the end for this type of tobacco enterprise as growers were then able to send their tobacco directly to Europe, cutting out the middle men.

Juliet Catesby, also known as the Indigo Heiress, helped her father run his business interests including the multiple crops that the Royal Vale Plantation grew. In spite of her assistance, Royal Vale continued to accumulate debt, a problem her father chose to alleviate by betrothing her to Tobacco Lord, Leith Buchanan.

Laura Frantz weaves a tale filled with action, romance, betrayal, and intrigue, all wrapped around extensive research of the era's history on both sides of the Atlantic. The story includes characters that readers will easily become attached to and empathize with. Emotions will run high as injustices and poor timing impact Juliet and Leith's relationship. Readers will be encouraged by these characters' developing spiritual maturity, evolving priorities, and the power of prayer in their lives.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Indigo Heiress from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Serial Burn by Lynette Eason - A Book Review

  

Lynette Eason consistently provides good romantic suspense for readers to enjoy. Fans will be happy to know that, unlike many series, Lake City Heroes is not ending with this third installment. There is another adventure coming, this one featuring Air Marshal Kristine Duncan and FBI Agent Andrew Ross.

Serial Burn, as its title implies, revolves around an arson investigation. Deputy State Fire Marshal Jesslyn McCormick lost her family in a fire twenty years ago. Now it appears that the arsonist is trying to finish the job by killing Jesslyn as well. This action-filled story is wrapped in the theme of hope, hope through God's forgiveness, hope through the knowledge that God is on His throne and in control, and hope in the relationship we have with Him and with those He puts in our life.

While there were a few instances when I asked myself if people really talk like that, the book is overall well-written with characters readers will care about, subtle clues that will seem trivial at the time, and backstories revealed that enhance the story. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Serial Burn from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

When the Avalanche Roared by Lauralee Bliss - A Book Review

  

When the Avalanche Roared is the latest installment in Barbour Publishing's A Day To Remember series featuring historic North American disasters. This fictionalized account of the 1910 Wellington, Washington avalanche that killed ninety-six people sticks closely to the historical record of the event. While some books in this series jump right into the disaster, this one uses the first ten chapters to develop the fictional story of Lillian and Griffin. This author's writing style is simple and straightforward, however she is still adept at character and scene development. The plot is believable and flows smoothly. Although the negative impact of such a horrific disaster is not minimized, the good that comes from people coming together to support the community and one another softens that impact in the story.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of When the Avalanche Roared from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.