Nowhere to Turn by Lynette Eason

I have been a fan of Lynette Eason for a long time and have read many of her books. However, I have not read the first book in this series and didn't realize it was part of a series when I started reading it. Fortunately, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this story. I liked both the characters and the concept. Dani is an abused wife and mother seeking a way of escape from stalking. Her son, Simon, is highly intelligent and busy resourceful. He does not let his deafness hinder him. Adam works for the organization Dani has turned to for help and is tasked with her safety.  Though they constantly relocate, they cannot seem to shake the reach of the stalker. They think they know who he is, but do they really? This story blends romance, suspense, and faith into a great read.

Net Galley provided a copy of this novel for honest review:-)

Shattered Secrets by Karen Harper

I found this novel to be more of a procedural than your typical romantic suspense. Gabe is sheriff in the town where he grew up and where Tess was abducted years ago and held for 8 months before she escaped. Coming back to town after years away, Tess is bombarded by memories she has long suppressed. Gabe never stopped trying to solve her case and is now investigating more similar kidnappings. Tess tries to regain her memories in order to help and also tries her hand at investigating on her own with both good and negative results. What follows is a complicated and convoluted investigation which leads the two into a few tricky situations and had then investigating more suspects than they can handle. Though the story was a tad drawn out for me at times, the ending and the culprit was a surprise. Any suspense/mystery which can catch me by surprise at the end is a good read in my book. This novel was also very clean, no bad language or sexual situations...just some scary thrills.

Net Galley provided a copy of this novel for honest review:-)

Danger at the Border by Terri Reed

This story is the first book in a new series featuring northern border patrol agents. In this particular book, Jeff is a border control agent and Tessa is doctor who specializes in marine life. Both of them have been called to a small tourist town to determine what is happening at a local lake where fish are dying and people are getting sick. As the two begin to track the source of contamination back to its source, they are ambushed. The majority of the story deals with the couple's efforts to escape their captors and report what they have found. In the process of all this, both Jeff and Tessa reveal their adamant wish to avoid relationships despite their obvious attraction to each other and compatibility. A great deal of danger and suspense draw the couple closer together than they intend to be. In the process, Jeff's strong faith influences Tessa to reconnect with the faith she had left in her childhood. Both characters openly discuss their faith and their prayers. In the end, the couple had to decide whether their relationship can be different from those they had experienced in the past. My only slight complaint is that the "I love you" card was played a bit quickly with all the events in the book taking place over approximately one week. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book and would read the author again.

Net Galley provided a copy of this book for honest review:-)

Dark Secrets, Deep Bayous by Meg Hennessy

Jordan and Aurelie are a very unlikely couple for three early 1800's. Jordan is white and makes a financial agreement to take Aurelie, who is of mixed heritage and considered Creole, as his mistress (an acceptable practice ofc the day). Aurelie knows of the arrangement and agrees to go along with it. Both parties have secrets to keep and gains they hope to receive.  Though their relationship starts off very rocky, they are drawn to each other more and more.  Unfortunately, their secrets are revealed and the ensuing emotions threaten to destroy the fragile ground they have gained with each other.

I enjoyed this fast paced historical romantic suspense. It was very well written with characters I could easily identify with. The author addressed heavy issues such as race relations without being preachy but while giving depth to the feelings expressed. I am excited this will be becoming a series and am already looking forward to Collette's story.


  Net Galley provided a copy of this book for honest review:-)  

Trapped by Beverly Long

Elle and Brody find themselves thrown together after a difficult 13 year separation by a plane crash in the middle of the Brazilian jungle. Elle realizes she was to blame for their break up years before, so she is patient with the verbal jabs Brody lobs her way. The two end up working together to help the other injured passengers and secure water and shelter. When it becomes clear that help is not coming, they end up crossing the jungle together to find help with friends Elle knows from living in the area. Unfortunately, Elle is harboring several secrets, some about the past and some dangerous ones from the present which end up interrupting their efforts to find help. Once all is revealed, Brody has to decide whether he can forgive the past and find a way to ensure they survive to find a future.

I enjoyed the book. It was an easy afternoon read, but also had good plot and likable characters. My only complaints would be that I would have liked some resolution regarding what happened to the rest of the passengers (maybe even see them all reuniting) and a bit more detail in the epilogue since it felt a little rushed to me. Overall though it was a nice read, and I would definitely read this author again.

Net Galley provided me with a copy of this book for review:-)

Cavanaugh Strong by Marie Farrarella

Although I haven't read any of the other Cavanaugh books, I really enjoyed this one. While I wouldn't actually place it in the suspense  category, it was a really good police procedural. The characters were interesting, especially the grandmother, Lucy.  Witty dialog throughout kept me amused.  The story didn't lag as it followed Noelle and Donovan through the twists and turns of their investigation into the strange deaths of unattached senior citizens. The two meet each other's families and begin to spend time together off the clock and under the sheets. Lucy plays an instrumental role in helping Noelle battle her fears about relationships. Donovan turns out to be very persistent and entertaining. In the end, Noelle had to decide whether to get over her fears or get over Donovan.

I received some copy of this book for honest review from Net Galley.

Sweeter Than Sin by Shiloh Walker

I didn't realize this was the fifth book in a series when I started reading it. It was my first time reading this author. While I admit there were a few things it took me a minute to figure out since I had no knowledge of the prior books, but it was definitely not enough to keep me from finishing the story since I got caught up in Adam and Lana. While I certainly would have benefited from having read the other books in the series, I enjoyed this story and will probably go back and read the others...especially Noah and Trinity's story.

Lana had been leading a messed up shell existence of a life. Adam has barely lived his own life since Lana disappeared from it twenty years ago. The two of them together should be totally screwed up, but somehow they ease each other's distress and fit together perfectly. Though their initial coming back together was rocky at first, it didn't take long for sparks to fly. Unfortunately, the couple had more to deal with than their own relationship. They were tangled up in the mystery of who all in the town had been involved in the Cronus Club, a sickly perverted organization which started all the original trouble years ago. People were murdered, both good and bad. The whole town was reeling while Lana hid in plain sight and Adam worked to help her find a safe way to unravel the club and regain her life. This was a deep multilayered story with steamy passion and dark deception.

Net Galley provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.