Happy Saturday! I’m a little late to the party for First Line Friday, but I’m still linking up with Reading is My Superpower 🙂 Today I’m featuring Critical Alliance, the newest book by Elizabeth Goddard.

“Her world was spinning out of control.”

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard

The Basics

Title: Critical Alliance

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Series: Rocky Mountain Courage (Book 3 of 3)

Publication Date: July 5, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

She’s seeking answers. He’s seeking respite.
The past is seeking both of them.

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 protect her father’s company.

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

Critical Alliance was my favorite of the Rocky Mountain Courage series! The focus is on Alex and Mackenzie, but we also get to catch up with characters from the first two books. I would recommend reading the series in order, but you won’t be lost if you start with this one!

The action and suspense in this story will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat! The ruggedly beautiful Montana setting is the perfect backdrop for the twists and turns Alex and Mackenzie face as they race to find out who is behind the threats to her life. The cybersecurity angle was a unique element, and not hard at all to understand or follow. The blend of character development and action kept the story moving at just the right pace. If you enjoy inspirational romantic suspense, I highly recommend Critical Alliance and the whole Rocky Mountain Courage series!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Welcome to another First Line Friday, the weekly linkup hosted by Reading is My Superpower. Happy Independence Day weekend to everyone celebrating in the United States! The book I’m featuring this week fits perfectly with the theme of celebrating freedom and the people who dedicate their lives to securing it for others.

Coastal Georgia

“The plane touched down on an off-the-grid military runway in southeast Georgia.”

The Record Keeper by Charles Martin

The Basics

Title: The Record Keeper

Author: Charles Martin

Series: Murphy Shepherd (Book 3 of 3)

Publication Date: July 5, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Christian

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

“Because you’re worth rescue.”

Murphy Shepherd’s last rescue mission very nearly cost him his life. He’d like nothing more than to stay close to his wife and daughters for a while. But Bones’s brother must be stopped, and there are so many who still need to know they are worth rescuing.

As the cat-and-mouse game moves into the open, Murphy is tested at every turn—both physically and mentally. Then the unthinkable happens: his beloved mentor and friend is taken. Gone without a trace.

Murphy lives by the mantra that love always shows up. But how can he rescue Bones when he has no leads?

With heart-stopping clarity, The Record Keeper explores the true cost of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one.

My Review

“From the beginning of time, light has shone into the darkness, and since that first spark, darkness – no matter how hard it tries, no matter what sword it wields or scheme it perpetrates – has not been able to overcome it. Ever.”

The Record Keeper is the riveting conclusion to an incredible series! Murphy Shepherd is back, and this time he and Bones are on a mission to finally put a stop to the criminal mastermind they have been fighting for so many years. The raw, gritty truth of human trafficking is contrasted with the unconditional love and sacrifice that marks Bones’ life. The ending is heart-wrenching and bittersweet – everything wasn’t tied up in a neat bow, but it was the perfect, fitting ending. You will remember this powerful story long after the final page!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy First Line Friday! For today’s linkup with Reading is My Superpower, I’m featuring one of my favorite books in the suspense genre so far this year!

“Dr. Peter Chesterfield watched his chief resident cut a three-millimeter patch of flesh and muscle away from the boy’s forehead above the eyebrow.”

Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal

The Basics

Title: Elysium Tide

Author: James R. Hannibal

Publication Date: June 7, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Suspense

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Dr. Peter Chesterfield is one of the Royal London Hospital’s top neurosurgeons. He is also a workaholic, ordered by his boss to take a week off to attend a medical symposium at the luxurious Elysium Grand on the island of Maui. While there, Peter pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Though he is able to revive her in the ambulance, she eventually dies in his arms, leaving him with only one clue to what happened to her: the word “honu.”

Increasingly obsessed with discovering the cause of his patient’s death, Peter becomes entangled in an ongoing investigation of a brazen luxury auto theft. He also becomes a source of deep irritation to detective Lisa Kealoha, who has jurisdiction over the case. But when the two join forces, they begin to uncover a destructive plot that runs far deeper than either of them could have imagined. And if they’re not careful, they’re both going to end up dead.

Award-winning author James R. Hannibal whisks you away to the deadly beauty of Hawaii for a story of greed, violence, and justice that will leave you breathless.

My Review

In Elysium Tide, James R. Hannibal gives readers a glimpse into Hawaiian culture along with a fantastic police procedural/murder mystery. There are plenty of twists, turns, and bad guys to keep you guessing all the way through! The multilayered plot and unique characters make this compelling story almost impossible to put down. As a neurosurgeon, Peter is not the typical main character you would expect in a suspense novel, but he is the perfect complement to Lisa, the tough-as-nails detective trying to prove she is more than the sum of her past mistakes.

I absolutely love the author’s writing style – fast-paced and detailed, with just the right amount of wit and dry humor. There isn’t much romance to speak of, but the ending leaves that door open and sets the characters up for a possible sequel. This book is the perfect summer escape to Hawaii, and definitely one for the keeper shelf! Fans of Tom Threadgill, Cara Putman, Natalie Walters will especially enjoy the story.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

Happy First Line Friday! For today’s linkup, hosted by Reading is My Superpower, I’m featuring a book I already know is going to be on my Top 10 list for 2022!

Four Years Ago…

“Ranger wasn’t here to get in trouble, but wow, she was pretty.”

Sunburst by Susan May Warren

The Basics

Title: Sunburst

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Sky King Ranch (Book 2 of 3)

Publication Date: June 7, 2022

Genre: Contemporary action/adventure romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt from terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he could never forget.

Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves taken hostage, along with several others. And while Ranger Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he’ll need Noemi’s help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.

Her solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding–which would bind Noemi to a man destined to break her heart. Worse, the trouble they’re fleeing has found them–again. It’s clear anyone around Noemi is bound to be caught in the cross fire. Including her potential new husband.

She’ll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.

My Review

What an incredible story! Susan May Warren takes us on a wild ride from Key West, to Africa, and finally back to Alaska. This book introduces us to the second Kingston brother, Ranger. His calm, collected demeanor and his warrior heart make him the perfect match for Noemi, with her vibrant, colorful personality. Their banter and chemistry leaps off the page, and you can’t help but feel their pain, doubts, and triumphs right alongside them. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, and I absolutely loved the way it played out in this book!

I would definitely recommend reading the series in order, as characters and plot lines from previous books are woven into this story. The next book can’t come soon enough! If you enjoy books full of adventure, suspense, and second chance romance, don’t miss Sunburst!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Friday! It’s another First Line Friday – today I am linking up with Reading is My Superpower and featuring Among the Innocent by Mary Alford.

“He drove by the house again. The second time today. All because of her.”

Among the Innocent by Mary Alford

The Basics

Title: Among the Innocent

Author: Mary Alford

Publication Date: June 7, 2022

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When Leah Miller’s entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah has left the Amish and joined the police force. Now, after an Amish woman is found murdered with the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family’s deaths.

As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they can’t help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning.

What will it mean for Leah–and Dalton–when the full truth comes to light?

My Review

What an action-packed, nail-biting take on the suspense genre! This was the first of Mary Alford’s books I have read, but it won’t be the last. I loved the unique twist of a suspense novel centered on an Amish community and a small town police department. Leah is a strong, smart heroine who has taken the tragedy of her past and used it for good, although her past comes back to haunt her in this book. Unbeknownst to her, she and Dalton are connected through that tragedy ten years ago… now that the killer is back, they are thrown together as they race to put an end to his twisted plot once and for all. Full of likable characters, a fast-paced plot, and plenty of surprises to keep you guessing, this book will delight fans of DiAnn Mills and Nancy Mehl!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Friday! The book I’m featuring for today’s First Line Friday linkup is the perfect summer read. Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton by Susannah B. Lewis is a delightful story full of southern charm!

“There was nothing to see but bottomland on the thirty-minute drive from Huntsville to Whitten.”

Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton by Susannah B. Lewis

The Basics

Title: Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton

Author: Susannah B. Lewis

Publication Date: May 24, 2022

Genre: Christian Contemporary Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Sometimes what your life is missing is an eccentric group of older ladies to take you under their wing . . .

When Raeley Ann Sutton’s mama passes away and leaves her the house where she grew up, Rae can’t imagine how the little old place might restore her broken life. Mourning the recent loss of her marriage, she takes the house and settles back in tiny, “one-horse Whitten” with her fourteen-year-old daughter, Molly Margaret, and their overweight dog.

There she’s embraced by her mother’s close-knit circle of friends, the Third Thursday ladies: Mrs. Fannie, Mrs. Dora, and Aunt Maxine. Though almost half their age and far less confident of positive outcomes, Rae joins their ministry-slash-book-club-slash-gossip circle and allows the women to speak wry honesty and witty humor into her tired heart. As a new career and a new romance bring their own complications, Rae relies on the unlikely family she’s found and begins to wonder if her future holds more hope than she ever could have imagined.

My Review

Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton is the perfect book to enjoy on a summer afternoon, on the front porch with a glass of sweet tea! It’s full of southern charm, humor, and heart. The delightful characters will find their way straight to your heart, from Rae and her daughter to the Third Thursday ladies who become Rae’s stand-in mother figures. They add both lighthearted and heartfelt moments, and give the story richness and depth. I loved the way Rae’s faith grew so authentically – it felt natural and not preachy or cheesy. The themes of restoration and redemption hit just the right notes! I would recommend this book to fans of authors like Lauren K. Denton, and I can’t wait to read what Ms. Lewis writes next!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Friday! We made it through another week, and it’s time for another First Line Friday, the weekly linkup hosted by Reading is My Superpower. Today I’m sharing the first line from Written on the Wind, the second book in Elizabeth Camden’s Blackstone Legacy series.

September 1900

“Natalia Blackstone always considered the third floor of her family’s bank the most fascinating five thousand square feet in the entire United States.”

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden

The Basics

Title: Written on the Wind

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Series: The Blackstone Legacy (Book 2)

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Count Dimitri Sokolov has been charged with overseeing construction of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, but during this work, he witnesses an appalling crime, the truth of which threatens the Russian monarchy. In an effort to silence him, the czar has stripped Dimitri of his title, his lands, and his freedom . . . but Dimitri has one asset the czar knows nothing about: his deep and abiding friendship with Natalia Blackstone. 

Natalia is the lead analyst for her father’s New York banking empire and manages their investment in the Trans-Siberian Railway. Her bond with Dimitri has flourished despite the miles between them, but when Dimitri goes unexpectedly missing, she sets the wheels in motion to find him. Once they join forces, they embark on a dangerous quest in which one wrong move could destroy them both.  

From the steppes of Russia to the corridors of power in Washington, Dimitri and Natalia will fight against all odds to save the railroad while exposing the truth. Can their newfound love survive the ordeal? 

My Review

Elizabeth Camden has written another fascinating story that’s impossible to put down! Written on the Wind reunites us with characters we first met in Carved in Stone, but it can be read as a stand alone. This novel brings the story of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Boxer Rebellion to life with rich historical details, compelling characters, romance, and political intrigue. Natalia and Dimitri are opposites in so many ways, but they share a determination, strong moral character, and courage that sees them through hard times they face. While I loved the historical aspects, their witty dialogue and dry humor were some of my favorite parts of the book!

If you are looking for well-researched historical fiction with characters you won’t soon forget, you can’t go wrong with Elizabeth Camden! Written on the Wind, and the entire Blackstone Legacy series, are destined for the keeper shelf.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy First Line Friday! Today I’m linking up with Reading is My Superpower and sharing the first line from The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Needham, Massachusetts
Thursday, February 6

“Dawn parked in front of her childhood home in Needham but couldn’t make herself get out of the car.”

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Basics

Title: The Sweet Life

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Series: Cape Cod Creamery (Book 1)

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Dawn Dixon can’t believe she’s on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. She was supposed to be here with Kevin, the man she loves. Still, Mom was the right choice. Dawn’s heart may have been broken, but Marnie Dixon is in need of mending as well.

But Mom–being Mom–creates a mess when, on a whim, she buys a run-down ice cream shop in the town’s tightly regulated historic district with big plans to fix it up. She’s never remodeled anything. And she’s never even made ice cream!

Dawn knows she has to stay and fix this fiasco. But her mother’s money pit ice cream shop may have created a chance for a happy ending . . . one Dawn could never have expected.

My Review

The Sweet Life is a fun, lighthearted story, perfect for a spring or summer day at the beach! I love the New England setting – Suzanne Woods Fisher is great at writing about small towns full of quirky characters. I also worked at an ice cream shop as a teenager, so I enjoyed going back to that fun time in my life through this story!

Dawn and her mom, Marnie, are an unlikely mother-daughter duo – they don’t see eye to eye on much, but they both find themselves needing a fresh start in life. Opening an ice cream shop together tests their faith and their patience, as they work together to overcome opposition and heartbreak. This sweet story of starting over and second chances, sprinkled with heartwarming moments and spiritual truths, will delight readers and ice cream fans alike!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy First Line Friday! It’s time to share the first line of the book closest to you! Today I’m featuring When the Meadow Blooms, a new release by Ann H. Gabhart.

February 27, 1925

“‘You will never be completely well. Tuberculosis leaves its mark on your lungs.'”

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart

The Basics

Title: When the Meadow Blooms

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

If any place on God’s earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law’s Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past–the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls’ experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, past troubles become rich soil in which faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother’s widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again.

But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

My Review

Ann H. Gabhart is a new-to-me author, and this book was a wonderful introduction to her work! When the Meadow Blooms is a beautiful story of finding love and healing after tragedy and heartbreak. All of the characters, especially Calla and Sienna, will find their way into your heart from the first page. I loved how their individual stories and experiences were woven together as they became a true family and found peace in the quiet beauty of Meadowland. If you are looking for a story full of hope, restoration, and faith, look no further than this book! Fans of Susie Finkbeiner and Sarah Loudin Thomas will enjoy this one.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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