It’s Friday, and you know what that means… time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books! Today I’m featuring a new release by a new-to-me author: Nine by Rachelle Dekker.

“Olivia’s lungs burned as short bursts of air escaped her mouth. Her pulse pounded violently inside her head and for a moment blocked out everything but the vibrations of her feet slamming against the forest floor. But as quickly as the world had gone it came rushing back, and she wasn’t alone.”

Nine by Rachelle Dekker

Okay, I know that’s actually three lines… but I think that sets the scene a little better!

The Basics

Title: Nine

Author: Rachelle Dekker

Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Zoe Johnson has spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes.

Against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn’t seem to have any past at all. With little warning, they must follow the only sure thing they know: a woman hundreds of miles away, will either save them . . . or be the last person to see them alive.

My Thoughts

“She could have walked away a dozen times before arriving at this moment. She could have followed her gut, which had screamed for her to listen at every turn. She could have blocked out Lucy from the beginning. Done what her mother had always taught her: to fear. And what the world had never stopped reminding her: to protect.”

This was the first of Rachelle Dekker’s books I’ve read, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Honestly, I was a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this story! It does have a bit of a dystopian/sci-fi element, but not so much that it didn’t feel like it could have been ripped from future headlines. The action and emotion are intense, as there are twists around every corner for Zoe and Lucy, and they never know who they can trust.

The gripping storyline is given more intensity by the powerful message that we don’t have to let our past define us, but we can make the choice to leave our fear, our mistakes, and our guilt behind as we become the people we were made to be. Each of the main characters – Zoe, Lucy, and Agent Seeley – come to experience forgiveness and redemption in their own unique ways. I’m a new fan of Rachelle Dekker, and I can’t wait to see what she 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 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!

Happy Friday, fellow readers! It’s the start of a holiday weekend, and a great time to find some new books through Hoarding Books’ First Line Friday linkup 🙂 Today I’m featuring a new release that just came out this week – Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick.

June 1852

“Her dreams of late had been of books with maps of unknown places.”

Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick

The Basics

Title: Something Worth Doing: A Novel of an Early Suffragist

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction (based on a true story)

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Some things are worth doing–even when the cost is great

In 1853, Abigail Scott was a nineteen-year-old school teacher in Oregon Territory when she married Ben Duniway. Marriage meant giving up on teaching, but Abigail always believed she was meant to be more than a good wife and mother. When Abigail becomes the primary breadwinner for her growing family, what she sees as a working woman appalls her–and prompts her to devote her life to fighting for the rights of women, including the right to vote.

Based on a true story, Something Worth Doing will resonate with modern women who still grapple with the pull between career and family, finding their place in the public sphere, and dealing with frustrations and prejudices when competing in male-dominated spaces.

My Thoughts

“But of course, living held risk, the very act of breathing meant another step into the unknown. How one took those steps would shape the character of those around you….”

This was the first of Jane Kirkpatrick’s books I’ve read so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying this story! Something Worth Doing follows the life of Abigail Duniway, a entrepreneur and suffragist in 19th-century Oregon. I thought the book presented a well-rounded picture of her life and the obstacles she faced. She worked so hard for so many years, facing disappointments and tragedies in her personal life and her work, but she never gave up. The tension she faced between her dedication to her family and her work is something women today can relate to. The balance is hard to find, and we see in her story that she didn’t always make the right choices, but women in the United States wouldn’t be where we are today without her and the cause she advanced.

Parts of the book did feel more like an account of events than an engaging story, but overall it was an enjoyable read. It’s very timely as well, as 2020 marks 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granted women the right to vote. Fans of historical fiction and students of history will enjoy 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 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!

Happy Friday, friends! We’ve made it through another week, and that means it’s time for another First Line Friday linkup! The book I’m featuring this week hits a little close to home in 2020… Airborne by DiAnn Mills centers around a deadly virus and the race to discover who released it. The Kindle version is already available, and the paperback will be out on September 8th!

“Vacations offered a distraction for those who longed to rest and rejuvenate, but FBI Special Agent Heather Lawrence wrestled with the decision to take an overseas trip alone.”

Airborne by DiAnn Mills

The Basics

Title: Airborne

Author: DiAnn Mills

Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller

Release Date: April 28, 2020 (Kindle); September 8, 2020 (Paperback)

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Heather Lawrence’s long-awaited vacation to Salzburg wasn’t supposed to go like this. Mere hours into the transatlantic flight, the Houston FBI agent is awakened when passengers begin exhibiting horrific symptoms of an unknown infection. As the virus quickly spreads and dozens of passengers fall ill, Heather fears she’s witnessing an epidemic similar to ones her estranged husband studies for a living—but this airborne contagion may have been deliberately released.

While Heather remains quarantined with other survivors, she works with her FBI colleagues to identify the person behind this attack. The prime suspect? Dr. Chad Lawrence, an expert in his field . . . and Heather’s husband. The Lawrences’ marriage has been on the rocks since Chad announced his career took precedence over his wife and future family and moved out.

As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.

My Thoughts

Airborne by DiAnn Mills is definitely a timely story – one that could almost be ripped from the headlines! While there are differences from real life – this fictional virus is incredibly deadly and released as a bio-weapon – the fact that we are living through a global pandemic makes this story seem much more real.

The story is full of nail-biting suspense, as we’ve come to know and love from DiAnn Mills, but it also includes plenty of dynamic characters. Chad and Heather both go through some challenging circumstances, both together and separately, as their marriage is in trouble and it looks like Chad might have something to do with the virus. I did have my suspicions about who the killer might be, but I was definitely surprised by how it all played out! This book will keep you turning pages long into the night. Another great book by DiAnn Mills!

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! If you are a fan of contemporary romance with a little historical mystery and treasure hunting mixed in, you will love the book I’m featuring today! It’s A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson, the third and final book in her Georgia Coast Romance series. I’m linking up with Hoarding Books for First Line Friday to share the first line and my review!

“Penelope Jean Hunter loved every wedding she’d ever been to. Except her own.”

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson

What a great first line! I don’t know about you, but I have to keep reading to find out what happened at Penelope’s wedding!

The Basics

Title: A Dazzle of Diamonds

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance (Book 3 of 3)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah’s premier historic venues–until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot–and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.

To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job–and falling helplessly in love.

My Thoughts

This story certainly lives up to its name – it is dazzling! I loved Penelope and Tucker’s relationship and the chemistry between them. Marriage of convenience, or in this case dating relationship of convenience, is one of my favorite storylines, and it’s done beautifully in this story. The Southern charm and history of Savannah lends itself to the treasure-hunting element of the book, this time focused on smuggled goods from the Civil War. It’s a beautiful story of friendship that turns into a love story, and whenever I had to put the book down I couldn’t wait to jump back in!

Penelope, who always has a plan for everything, is afraid that pursuing a relationship with Tucker will ruin their lifelong friendship and send him running like her father and ex-fiance. Tucker, a strong yet gentle veteran, believes that he isn’t worthy of her and feels like he has something to prove, to his father and to the whole city as he runs for mayor. The history of the treasure and long-ago love story woven in adds just the right amount of sparkle to the story. This is the last book in a series (see my reviews of the first book here), but all three books can be read as stand-alone novels. I highly recommend this book (and series) to fans of Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, and Rachel Hauck!

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. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Friday! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m featuring a new release from a new-to-me author – Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray. I have to admit, the title really intrigued me, and I ended up really loving this story!

“I’ve face-planted myself into rock bottom.”

Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray

Isn’t that a great first line? What a way to start the story!

The Basics

Title: Love and a Little White Lie

Author: Tammy L. Gray

Series: State of Grace (Book 1)

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: After a heartbreak leaves her reeling, January Sanders is open to anything–including moving into a cabin on her aunt’s wedding-venue property and accepting a temporary position at her aunt’s church despite being a lifelong skeptic of faith. Choosing to keep her doubts to herself, she’s determined to give her all to supporting Grace Community’s overworked staff while helping herself move on.

What she doesn’t count on is meeting the church’s handsome and charming guitarist. It’s a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn’t believe in.

Only this time, keeping her secret isn’t as easy as she thought it would be. Especially when she’s constantly running into her aunt’s landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past-and-present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she’d rather keep buried.

Torn between two worlds that can’t coexist, can January find the healing that’s eluded her, or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness?

My Thoughts

This was such a fun book! It’s lighthearted with serious moments too, as Jan struggles with feeling lost after her breakup, move, and job change. Her job at a church, combined with her skepticism towards faith and her unfamiliarity with “Christianese,” provide some humor as well as heartfelt moments. The two heroes in the story also make things a little unpredictable, and I really enjoyed the witty dialogue and writing style.

Some Christian fiction can come across as cliche, cheesy, or preachy, but that’s not the case here. I love the way Jan’s questions about faith are explored – her story was portrayed in a genuine, authentic way. I’m looking forward to reading more of Tammy L. Gray’s books!

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, fellow readers! It’s time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books. Today I’m featuring a new release from this week – Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman!

“Exposed. Kiley felt exposed.”

Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman

The Basics

Title: Minutes to Die

Author: Susan Sleeman

Series: Homeland Heroes (Book 2 of 3)

Genre: Christian romantic suspense

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: It’s the intel every agent fears–terrorists have been smuggled into the country, intent on unleashing the most deadly attack since 9/11. With the threat imminent, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and ICE Agent Evan Bowers are charged with taking down this terrorist cell. The only problem is Kiley blames Evan for the death of her former partner, and she can barely be in the same room with him. But with millions of lives on the line, she has no choice.

If it wasn’t for a bad call Evan made, Kiley’s former partner would still be alive, and Evan has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. When he starts falling for her, the agent’s death seems an impossible obstacle. As the terrorist plot targets Kiley’s family, the two are pushed to the breaking point in a race to save countless lives.

My Thoughts

The first book in this series, Seconds to Live, was my introduction to Susan Sleeman’s books. It wasn’t my favorite, but something changed with this book, and I absolutely loved it! The intensity and action drew me in from the beginning, and I had a hard time putting it down!

The chemistry and relationship between the main characters, Kiley and Evan, seemed much more authentic than the first book. The plot was gripping, which is to be expected in a story about terrorist plot, but I thought the balance between the action and quieter moments was really well done. I enjoyed the unique focus on the RED Team and their camaraderie, and I can’t wait for the next 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 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! I’m so glad it’s time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, and I’m so excited about the book I’m featuring today! Rachel Hauck is one of my favorite authors, and she has a new book coming out on August 11. It’s available for preorder now – you won’t want to miss it!

1938

Dalholm, Northon, Lauchtenland

“It’s said in the north country of Lauchtenland that the sea has a song, and love blooms from the earth the same as flora and fauna. It perfumes the air and touches lives in ways no one quite understands.”

To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck

The Basics

Title: To Love a Prince

Author: Rachel Hauck

Series: True Blue Royal (Book 1)

Publication Date: August 11, 2020

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace in the North Sea’s Lauchtenland. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the capital city, and a handsome, successful boyfriend. The last person on her mind is Gus, the prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricatured by the press—he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But after he’s jilted at the altar, then dumped by his second fianceé, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue finds solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar rather than serve his country and the Family.

But a wild Frisbee toss down the beach changes his destiny.

Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince. She reminds Gus of his heritage and assures him that he’s needed in Lauchtenland.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment at Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding ball, their friendship blooms into affection.

Then secrets are exposed, and Gus must choose between his past hurts and his future hope. And Daffy must trust her heart to forever love a prince.

My Thoughts

To Love a Prince is another enchanting royal story by Rachel Hauck! She has such a beautiful way of telling stories that draw you in and tug on your heartstrings. All of her characters, whether royal or not, are so relatable, I feel like I could step through the pages and instantly be friends.

I absolutely loved Gus and Daffy’s story and the way their relationship grew from a childhood friendship into a beautiful love story. The threads through both of their stories about discovering their value and worth were so powerful. I really enjoyed the glimpses of characters from past books too, especially Coral Winthrop from The Fifth Avenue Story Society! The finishing touch on the story is the glimmer of the divine, found in the mysterious, angelic characters that make Rachel Hauck’s books unique. I highly recommend this book for any fan of royal stories or contemporary romance!

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 author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday, friends! I’m so glad it’s Friday – for so many reasons, but one is that it’s time for another First Line Friday linkup hosted by Hoarding Books! Today I’m featuring a book that just came out this week, by a new-to-me author: Fragments of Light by Michèle Phoenix.

Aubry-en-Douve

June 6, 1944

“I was dreaming about carousels the night the sky got loud.”

Fragments of Light by Michèle Phoenix

The Basics

Title: Fragments of Light

Author: Michèle Phoenix

Genre: Christian historical fiction (split-time)

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: An impossible decision in the chaos of D-Day. Ripples that cascade seventy-five years into the present. And two lives transformed by the tenuous resolve to reach out of the darkness toward fragments of light.

Cancer stole everything from Ceelie—her peace of mind, her self-image, perhaps even her twenty-three-year marriage to her college sweetheart, Nate. Without the support of Darlene, her quirky elderly friend, she may not have been able to endure so much loss.

So when Darlene’s prognosis turns dire, Ceelie can’t refuse her seemingly impossible request—to find a WWII paratrooper named Cal, the father who disappeared when Darlene was an infant, leaving a lifetime of desolation in his wake.

The search that begins in the farmlands of Missouri eventually leads Ceelie to a small town in Normandy, where she uncovers the harrowing tale of the hero who dropped off-target into occupied France.

Alternating between Cal’s D-Day rescue by two young French sisters and Ceelie’s present-day journey through trial and heartbreak, Fragments of Light poses a timeless question: When life becomes unbearable, will you press toward the light or let the darkness win?

My Thoughts

This was my first book by Michèle Phoenix, and what a great introduction to her writing! I loved this split-time story that took us through the events of D-Day, both through the eyes of a paratrooper who landed in Normandy that day and the discovery of his daughter and her friend 76 years later. Both storylines were equally engaging, with compelling characters and similar themes woven throughout.

This is a story that shows the true cost of war through the heartbreak and sacrifice it required of Cal, but it is not a story without hope. Darlene, Ceelie, and Nate were all faced with difficult circumstances and presented with the opportunity to choose between anger or forgiveness, bitterness or grace, betrayal or faithfulness. Those are choices we can all relate to, whether we have lived through a war or not. This is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, beautiful story that will stick with you long after the last 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 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! I hope you can enjoy a long holiday weekend celebrating Independence Day, with plenty of time for reading and spending time with family and friends 🙂

Today for First Line Friday, a linkup hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m featuring a book that’s not one I would typically read – These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker. Here’s the first line, and keep reading for my review below!

“We move in a loose group, winding through the trees.”

These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker

The Basics

Title: These Nameless Things

Author: Shawn Smucker

Genre: Speculative

My Rating: 3 Stars

From the Back Cover: Once held captive and tortured on a mysterious mountain, Dan was lucky to have made it out alive. But freedom comes at a cost. Left with little memory of the horrific ordeal, Dan can recall one thing–his escape meant leaving his brother behind.

With each day that passes, Dan waits with the other survivors in hope of his brother’s escape. But just as long-forgotten memories start rising to the surface, the sudden appearance of a wounded woman throws everything into question. As Dan struggles to know who to trust, he is caught once again in a paralyzing moral dilemma:

How far will he go to save the people he loves?

My Thoughts

This isn’t the type of book I’m typically drawn to – speculative, allegorical, almost dystopian – but I’m glad I decided to read it! I think it’s important to expand your reading horizons, to see life from different perspectives, and These Nameless Things definitely provides a different perspective. The writing is haunting and poetic, leaving things open to your imagination and interpretation. The story explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and redemption in a compelling, thought-provoking way. It will make you consider how the choices we make have effects that reach farther than we can imagine. The questions it raises will stay with you 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 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 and the Revell Reads program. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.