Happy Friday! Today I’m linking up with Reading is my Superpower for First Line Friday and featuring Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills. She is one of the first Christian suspense authors I read as a teenager, and I never miss one of her books!

“Would I ever learn?”

Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills

The Basics

Title: Trace of Doubt

Author: DiAnn Mills

Publication Date: September 7, 2021

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. Now she’s out on parole and looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But starting over won’t be easy for an ex-con.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie fresh out of Quantico when he was first assigned the Pearce case. He’s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law’s account. So he’s going undercover to befriend Shelby, track down the missing money, and finally crack this case.

But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs. It’s up to Denton to stop them before they silence Shelby—and the truth—forever.

My Review

Trace of Doubt is a can’t-miss story from one of the most well-known Christian suspense authors out there. DiAnn Mills has definitely not lost her creative edge, even after writing so many books! Shelby’s story as an ex-con is a unique take on the suspense genre. Her strength, street smarts, and reliance on her faith make her a fascinating, compelling, heroine. The threats on her life after being released from prison become more sinister throughout the book, giving the story a psychological thriller feel. The twists and turns in this fast-paced story will keep you turning pages long into the night!

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! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Reading is my Superpower, I am sharing a beautifully written time-slip story by Amanda Cox. The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery came out last week, and it is sure to tug at your heartstrings!

“Sarah nudged aside last night’s puddle of clothes with her bare foot, the exposed designer label sticking out a bit too much.”

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

The Basics

Title: The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

Author: Amanda Cox

Publication Date: September 7, 2021

Genre: Southern Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Present Day. Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home, determined to finally follow her dream of running the family business alongside her mother and grandmother. So when her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that Old Depot Grocery is closing, Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a plan to save the store. But Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons–but she’ll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she’s pregnant with her deceased fiancé’s baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve her family’s reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-time story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.

My Review

Amanda Cox is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors with the release of her second book! This dual-timeline story introduces us to three generations of women in Glory Ann, Rosemary, and Sarah. From the relatable characters to the small Southern town to the heart-wrenching twists with a hint of mystery, this book has something for everyone. It touches on many issues women face, including mother-daughter relationships across generations, with themes of forgiveness, redemption, and hope.

While romance is a part of each woman’s story, it is a supplement rather than the main point. All three heroes are wonderful complements to our heroines, but Clay in the present day is my favorite. His steady friendship and care for Sarah as someone who had also suffered loss and rebuilt his life allowed her to find her place and grow into her new life. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy women’s fiction with heart, especially fans of Rachel Hauck and Lauren K. Denton!

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! Today I’m linking up with First Line Friday, hosted by Reading is My Superpower. This week I’m sharing the first line and my review of Lynette Eason’s new release, Hostile Intent.

“Today, the watching ended and the killing started.”

Hostile Intent by Lynette Eason

The Basics

Title: Hostile Intent

Author: Lynette Eason

Publication Date: August 3, 2021

Series: Danger Never Sleeps (Book 4 of 4)

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Ava Jackson entered the military shortly after high school, but her mother’s illness has forced her to request an early discharge. She already lost her father while deployed, and there’s no way she’s going to let her mother die alone. But after a visit to the nursing facility where her mother lives, Ava is attacked walking back to her car. Fortunately, FBI Special Agent Caden Denning arrives in time to help fight off her attacker.

Caden reveals to Ava that she may hold the key to the murders of three families, and he needs her help before anyone else is harmed. The hits show a pattern, and clearly the killer has an agenda. But if Caden and Ava can’t discover what it is, Ava may be next on the hit list.

My Review

Hostile Intent is a fantastic conclusion to the Danger Never Sleeps series! I was invested in Ava and Caden as soon as he saved her life at the beginning of the book. They had been friends growing up, but he quickly discovered a side to her past he never imagined. Ava’s father has spent the last 15 years preparing her for this moment, when his secrets would finally catch up with their family. When families start dying, she and Caden discover the connection to her father and race to find the killer before he completes his mission.

Captivating characters, nail-biting tension, and a brilliant plot work together to make this book my favorite of the series. It was fun to catch up with the characters from the three previous books, although this one can be read as a stand-alone. Part suspense and part thriller, I thoroughly enjoyed this high-stakes, action-packed conclusion to the series. Suspense fans can’t go wrong with a Lynette Eason book!

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.

Happy Friday! This First Line Friday, I have a fun rom-com to share with you! If you’re looking for a book to make you laugh and take your mind off the heaviness of the world for a few hours, check out Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong.

“I hated My Best Friend’s Wedding.”

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

The Basics

Title: Husband Auditions

Author: Angela Ruth Strong

Publication Date: August 17, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

My Review

With the perfect blend of lighthearted humor and heartfelt authenticity, Husband Auditions is a fresh take on dating, purpose, and “adulting.” Meri and Kai seem like an unlikely match at first, but they grow on each other as they grow throughout the story. Meri’s crazy antics and Kai’s sometimes cringe-worthy job-hunting tactics (or lack thereof) make them relatable, engaging characters. Through clever wit and poignant moments, Meri and Kai’s story reminds us not to let our expectations keep us from seeing what God has for us. If you enjoy rom-coms by Bethany Turner or Melissa Ferguson, you will love this book!

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.