Happy Friday, my fellow readers! I’m so excited about the book I’m featuring for today’s edition of First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! The Heart of a Hero, the second book in Susan May Warren’s Global Search and Rescue series, is coming out this Tuesday, June 2. This book is a great summer read – the perfect blend of high-stakes action and suspense with engaging characters. In other words, it’s quintessential Susan May Warren!

“In the daylight, Jake Silver wasn’t the devil.”

The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

The Basics

Title: The Heart of a Hero

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Global Search and Rescue (Book 2)

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance/Adventure

Publication Date: June 2, 2020

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. But now he can’t get her out of his head.

Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn’t been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he’s also dangerous, and she’s already lost one person she loves. She can’t bear it again.

It’s not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a Category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

My Thoughts

I know I say this every time I read a new Susan May Warren book, but I can’t believe how her stories keep getting better and better! This book continues Jake and Aria’s story that began in The Way of the Brave, so we were able to jump right into the story. And of course, the action starts right from the beginning and doesn’t let up!

Jake and Aria are thrust into yet another life-threatening situation, only weeks after they escaped an avalanche on Denali. Jake truly has the heart of a hero, as he rushes to find Aria the moment he thinks she’s in danger. The twists and turns keep coming, with danger lurking around every corner. Jake and Aria are both forced to come to terms with some hard truths about themselves and their pasts, as they work together to ride out the storm.

The internal challenges Jake and Aria face are just as intense as their external circumstances, as Warren blends her signature character development with heart-stopping action. I feel just as much like I’m inside Jake and Aria’s minds, feeling their pain and their joy, as I am in the middle of that hurricane in Key West. I also loved reading more about Jake’s family, especially Ellie – no one writes about family dynamics better! And after learning more of Ham’s story, and after that cliffhanger at the end…let’s just say October (and the release of The Price of Valor) can’t get here soon enough! This book (and series) is not to be missed!

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

Happy Friday! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the weekend. The weather is finally starting to feel like summer here in Maine, too! I just got a package from Baker Book House with some great new books that just released this month, and I can’t wait to dive in to those this weekend.

But first – it’s First Line Friday, a weekly linkup hosted by Hoarding Books! Today I’m featuring On a Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher, which also released in May and is set in my home state of Maine. May’s First Line Friday theme is book covers that make you happy, and the coastal scene on this cover looks pretty inviting right now!

“Just before Maddie unlocked the door to her office, she straightened the name plaque on the wall: Madison Grayson, Marriage and Family Therapist.”

On a Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Basics

Title: On a Coastal Breeze

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Series: Three Sisters Island (Book 2)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

From the Back Cover: For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can’t wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island–they’re all too young, too old, or too weird–Maddie feels like she’s finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O’Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again–the one who’d been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance–parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O’Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.

My Thoughts

So far, this book is my favorite in the series! It can be read as a standalone, but you’ll probably get more from the story if you read On a Summer Tide first. It was fun to return to the beautiful fictional setting of Three Sisters Island in Maine! I really enjoyed Maddie and Rick’s story, as they grew from “frenemies” to friends and finally more. It was sweet to see how they balanced each other out – Maddie helping Rick focus on his health, and Rick helping Maddie face her fears – after they finally got past the heartbreaking misunderstanding that had torn them apart years earlier.

The three sisters’ relationships were also fun to see develop, as they grew closer throughout the book. The parts of Blaine’s story that were woven into the story gave us a taste of what’s in store for the next book. This is not a novel with an incredibly layered or complex plot or characters, but it is a sweet, fun, heartfelt 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 Hoarding Books 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, everyone! I’m so excited about the book I’m sharing for this week’s First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Today I’m featuring the first line and my review of Bethany Turner’s new release, Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish. It’s the perfect book to get lost in for a weekend! Here’s the first line:

“‘Okay, everyone! We’re back in twenty. Places, please.'”

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner

The Basics

Title: Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish

Author: Bethany Turner

Genre: Christian Romantic Comedy

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show, To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel’s other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum and is sent packing, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public’s good graces is to work alongside Hadley. As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love.

In the meantime, hide the knives.

My Thoughts

This is definitely my favorite of Bethany Turner’s books (so far)! With her signature witty dialogue and pop culture references, readers are transported into the world of culinary television. Max and Hadley certainly seem like an unlikely pairing as they get off to a rocky start, but their relationship is transformed in a way that feels true to their characters. I love Hadley’s southern charm, and you have to admire anyone who uses that much butter in their cooking! 😉 Max’s struggles with alcohol and anger are portrayed with grace and authenticity. The perfect mixture of sweet and savory, this book will be a winner for foodies and romantic comedy fans alike!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below, and don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books 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!

Good morning, and happy Friday! It’s time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books. Today I’m featuring Patricia Bradley’s new book that just released this week: Standoff.

“What had he gotten himself into?”

Standoff by Patricia Bradley

The Basics

Title: Standoff

Author: Patricia Bradley

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers (Book 1)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for Luke Fereday, it’s also perfect for moving drugs.

Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers. John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder but soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her.

Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling–hard–for the daughter of the man he failed to save?

My Thoughts

Although I haven’t been a big Patricia Bradley fan in the past, her new book sounded really interesting. I decided to give her another try, and I’m so glad I did! The setting of Natchez Trace Parkway is unique, and the author did a great job providing details and making it feel realistic. The story also features a law enforcement agency I haven’t read about in the suspense genre – law enforcement park rangers.

The first few chapters introduce quite a few characters who were a little difficult for me to keep track of at first, but the story really came together as it moved along. Brooke and Luke are great main characters, and a great pairing! Brooke is a strong female lead, as her first case as an LE ranger pulls her into a vast conspiracy that puts her family in danger. There were so many potential bad guys involved, I was guessing right up until the end!

The story has a good balance of character development and action/suspense, as Brooke and Luke reconnect after years of not seeing each other and work together to bring down a major cartel player – and find out who killed her father. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the 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 Hoarding Books 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, friends! Can you believe it’s May 1st already? The days and weeks all seem to blend together lately… but today is a great day, because it’s time for another First Line Friday! Once again I’m linking up with Hoarding Books, and today I’m featuring Charles Martin’s upcoming release, The Water Keeper.

“Three miles distant, the trail of smoke spiraled upward.”

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin

The Basics

Title: The Water Keeper

Author: Charles Martin

Publication Date: May 5, 2020

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: A riveting new story of heroism, heartache, and the power of love to heal all wounds.

Murphy Shepherd is a man with many secrets. He lives alone on an island, tending the grounds for a church with no parishioners, and he’s dedicated his life to rescuing those in peril. But as he mourns the loss of his mentor and friend, Murph himself may be more lost than he realizes.

When he pulls a beautiful woman named Summer out of Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, Murph’s mission to lay his mentor to rest at the end of the world takes a dangerous turn. Drawn to Summer, and desperate to find her missing daughter, Murph is pulled deeper and deeper into the dark and dangerous world of modern-day slavery.

With help from some unexpected new friends, including a faithful Labrador he plucks from the ocean and an ex-convict named Clay, Murph must race against the clock to locate the girl before he is consumed by the secrets of his past—and the ghosts who tried to bury them.

With Martin’s trademark lyricism and poignant prose, The Water Keeper is at once a tender love story a heartrending search for freedom, and a reminder that the needs of the one outweigh those of the ninety-nine.

My Thoughts

This is the first of Charles Martin’s books I’ve read, although I’ve heard a lot of great things about him. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I opened this book, I encountered a beautiful, emotional, intense, engaging story!

The story was a little hard to follow at the beginning, as it seemed almost like we were starting at the end of something. It all began to make sense though, as the book went on and more details about Murph’s life were revealed. Both the action-packed plot and the multifaceted, compelling characters made the book hard to put down. With Charles Martin’s unique writing style, I almost felt like I was reading Murph’s journal and riding down the IC with him. The incredible details, intricate plot, and rich characters make this a book not to be missed!

Note: This book does deal with heavy topics, like suicide, drug use, and human trafficking. I would recommend it for older teenagers and up, depending on maturity level.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below, and don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books 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.