First Line Friday | Ruby Jane

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙂 I’m so excited to be sharing from Ruby Jane, the last book in Susan May Warren’s Montana Marshalls series! Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with Hoarding Books to share the first line for First Line Friday, along with my review. If you have extra time for reading during this long weekend, the Montana Marshalls series is the perfect choice for binge-reading – all five books are out now!

“Aw, York just knew this would happen.

Knew he never should have come back home. Knew that if he set foot back in America, he’d end up in the backseat of a covert CIA SUV, winding through the back hills of Washington State with a guy who had probably figured out that York knew his secrets.”

Ruby Jane by Susan May Warren

Okay, so that was more like the first paragraph… but it gives a little more context than the first line 😉

The Basics

Title: Ruby Jane by Susan May Warren

Series: The Montana Marshalls (Book 5 of 5)

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

She loved…and lost.

Ruby Jane never thought she’d meet the man of her dreams while running from the police in Russia. That he’d steal her heart on a train to Siberia. But loving a former CIA officer comes with a price…a life of danger. A life of high stakes.

A life where he simply disappears…

He has no memory of the man he was.

Mack Jones has no memory of his past…just the dark sense that he is hiding. And, he wants to stay that way. Mack likes the life he’s built in a small tourist town, tucked away beyond the mountains, and has no desire to dig around in the gray areas of his memory.

When his place of business catches fire and Mack rescues the owner, he makes the news, which of course alerts the past he’s hoping to outrun.

The only person who can help him is a mysterious woman he doesn’t remember.

But a woman he desperately needs.

The surprising, thrilling conclusion to the Montana Marshalls series.

My Thoughts

Susan May Warren has knocked it out of the park with this series! Each book has been incredible, and Ruby Jane was no exception. The plot is so intricately woven together as each book builds on the last, and the expertly written suspense grabs your attention from the first page. Even more amazing is the fact that Susie May released all five books this year!

The beginning of this book started off with a surprising twist, and it didn’t slow down from there. The action ramps up as the presidential election gets closer, and it becomes even more urgent that the Marshalls find whoever is behind the international conspiracy that has entangled their family at so many levels. The ending is satisfying and a perfect conclusion for the series, although there are still a few unanswered questions – but based on the preview of the first book in Susie May’s new series, coming out in January, I think those questions will be answered sooner or later!

As always, the character development in this book was top-notch. I think the faith themes were more overt here than in the other books in the series, as York struggled with his identity and his past. I don’t want to give anything away, but his transformation was one of the most powerful parts of the series! RJ’s story was really compelling too, as she grows into the seeker of truth and justice God made her to be. She is determined, loyal to the people she loves, and braver than she realized.

If you are a fan of family series, romantic suspense, or just a fan of anything Susan May Warren writes (like me!), you definitely won’t want to miss The Montana Marshalls.

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

Read my reviews of the rest of the series here:

Knox (book 1)

Ford (book 3)

Wyatt (book 4)

First Line Friday | The Dating Charade

Happy Friday! I’m so excited to be linking up with First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books, and sharing this debut novel with you! If you’re looking for a funny, sweet romance with heart, look no further than Melissa Ferguson’s first book, The Dating Charade:

“If one was going to dip one’s toes into the murky, pestilential waters of online dating, an escape plan was critical.”

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson

The Basics

Title: The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: December 3, 2019

My Rating: 5/5 stars

From the Back Cover: Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved this book! It’s the perfect contemporary romance – just the right blend of funny and serious moments, with relatable characters that feel like they could walk right off the page. The story is unique and relevant, dealing with topics like online dating and foster care with humor and heart. I loved the relationship between Cassie and Jett – they got off to a little bit of a rough start and had a few misunderstandings along the way, but I love how their story turned out! Dating mishaps, kids’ crazy antics, and two meddling older ladies provided lighthearted moments. I can’t wait to read whatever Melissa Ferguson writes next!

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

First Line Friday | Protecting Tanner Hollow

Happy Friday, fellow readers! I hope you had a great week, and that you will find plenty of time for reading this weekend 🙂 Today I’m linking up with First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books, and sharing the first line and my review of Protecting Tanner Hollow by Lynette Eason.

“Bad things happened in the dark.”

Protecting Tanner Hollow by Lynette Eason

The Basics

Title: Protecting Tanner Hollow: Four Romantic Suspense Novellas

Author: Lynette Eason

Genre: Christian romantic suspense

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

From the Back Cover:

Lethal Homecoming
Nolan Tanner never got over Kallie Ainsworth’s sudden, unexplained departure. Now when he comes to her rescue after an attempt on her life, all the old feelings come rushing back.


Lethal Conspiracy
When professional fundraiser Lillian Maloney sees her father’s campaign manager commit murder, she goes on the run from the men he hires to kill her. A close call brings firefighter Jason Tanner to the rescue, but the killer is closing in . . . 


Lethal Secrets
Someone wants Honor McBride dead. When Eli Murphy helps her change a flat tire and discovers the danger Honor is in, he longs to help–but Eli has secrets of his own that could get them all killed.

Lethal Agenda
When Detective Derek St. John rescues a woman he’s met only once before–and has never been able to forget–he finds himself falling for her. But he’ll have to keep Claire Montgomery alive if they’re to have a future together.

My Thoughts

This is a collection of 4 novellas – honestly, I was mainly interested in the last one, since the Derek St. John was part of Lynette Eason’s last series 🙂 Usually I’m not much of a fan of novellas, since there isn’t as much time to weave a detailed plot or build the suspense. Even with those limitations, this was an enjoyable read! It was fun to see the unofficial conclusion to the Blue Justice series with Derek’s story, but I think my favorite novella was the third one. Honor and Eli were great characters, and I would love to read a full-length book about them!

If you’re a fan of Lynette Eason, you won’t want to miss Protecting Tanner Hollow!

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

First Line Friday | Deadly Deceit

Happy Friday! It’s time for another First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. I’m so excited to be sharing Natalie Walter’s newest book, Deadly Deceit, with you today! I absolutely loved her first book that came out last spring, and this book confirmed that Natalie is one of my new favorite authors. Here’s the first line, followed by my review!

“In the face of small-town news, all creativity left Vivian DeMarco.”

Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

The Basics

Title: Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

Series: Harbored Secrets (Book 2 of 3)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 5/5 stars

From the Back Cover: Welcome back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name–but no one knows your secret.

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason–to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian’s only hope for finding the truth–and the next big story–is small-town law enforcement’s lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers–and her life.

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved Natalie Walters’ first book, Living Lies, and this one is just as good if not better! Her voice is fresh, witty, and just fun to read. She does a great job at writing suspenseful stories and weaving in some tough issues, like betrayal, abandonment, and forgiveness.

Deputy Ryan Frost and reporter Vivian DeMarco were both side characters in the first book, and it was so fun to get to know them better in this one! It would be hard for any hero to be as great as Charlie in Living Lies, but Ryan is up for the challenge. He is coming into his own as a deputy, and is being recruited by multiple federal agencies for his computer skills. Vivian has also changed as Walton is becoming her home, with a true community of friends and people she cares about more than her career or her next story. Ryan and Vivian are both dealing with the impact of their fathers leaving them, and they both feel unworthy of each other. I love how the spiritual lessons are woven in so naturally, and all the Captain America and Marvel references were the icing on the cake 🙂

Not only were the characters relatable and engaging, but the plot was also so unique and interesting. As Ryan and Vivian try to find the truth about her boss’ murder, they find evidence of a cyber criminal targeting people for extortion. The suspense was really well done, and the ending will have you holding your breath!

If you are a fan of romantic suspense, make sure to read Natalie Walters’ Harbored Secrets series! The third book, Silent Shadows, will be out on March 31, 2020, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on the first two by then (and the first book, Living Lies, is on Kindle Unlimited!).

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

She Prays by Debbie Lindell | Book Review

The Basics

Title: She Prays: A 31-Day Journey to Confident Conversations with God by Debbie Lindell

Genre: Christian Devotional

My Rating: 4/5 stars

From the Back Cover: God wants us to know him so well that we are comfortable talking to him about anything and everything. Yet there are times when we feel disconnected and insecure. We desire to grow in prayer, but we don’t know where to begin, what to say, or how to listen for his voice.

In She Prays, Debbie Lindell invites you on a thirty-one-day journey to experience a confident and conversational relationship with your heavenly Father. She shows you how to replace the pressure to perform in prayer with a faith-filled expectation–trusting that God is delighted with every conversation and every word we whisper to him. Her desire is that your soul will be transformed as your confidence in prayer grows, and that your faith will be strengthened as you see God work through your prayers in ways you never imagined possible.

My Thoughts

She Prays is a powerful, practical devotional book on prayer. It’s full of advice and encouragement, as well as solid teaching on God’s character and the importance of prayer. Each day’s reading is a good length – long enough to have substance, but short enough to read on a busy day. I love that Debbie encourages you to put what you’re learning into practice, with prayer prompts and space for journaling at the end of each chapter! This book provides a great opportunity to focus on prayer, no matter where you’re at in your prayer journey.

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