Happy Friday, everyone! I’m so glad the weekend is here again – I have a lot of good books in my TBR stack! I hope you have plenty of time for reading this weekend! 🙂 Today I’m linking up with Hoarding Books for another First Line Friday, and sharing from Jessica Kate’s second novel, A Girl’s Guide to the Outback.

“Samuel Payton was an idiot.”

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate

The Basics

Title: A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Publication Date: January 28, 2020

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

My Thoughts

I wasn’t crazy about Jessica Kate’s first book, Love and Other Mistakes, but I’m glad that didn’t keep me from reading this one! We met Kimberly and Sam in the first book, but this one can definitely be read as a standalone. The seamless way Australian culture and vocabulary were included added interest and uniqueness to the story, and I thought the characters were more compelling in this book. Kim and Sam look like opposites on the surface, but as their friendship grows, they find that the past hurts they’re both dealing with help them understand each other better. I also really enjoyed the secondary storyline that focused on Sam’s sister Jules and her former fiance, Mick. Overall, a solid story about family, purpose, and overcoming obstacles, with a little humor!

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.

Happy Friday! It’s time for another First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books, a linkup where we share the first line from the book closest to us (or one we’re currently reading or recently finished). Today I’m sharing the first line from Collateral Damage, the first book in Lynette Eason’s new Danger Never Sleeps series. Keep reading for my review below!

“Sergeant First Class Asher James stared at Captain Phillip Newell, sure that he’d heard wrong.”

Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason

The Basics

Title: Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason

Series: Danger Never Sleeps (Book 1)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

They thought they left the fight behind on the battlefield.
But their greatest struggles are just beginning.

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others, but her days of helping military personnel are over. She’s got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she’s not equipped to take on more.

Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor. When he arrives at her office, she isn’t there–but a dead body is. When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack–and that her secrets go even deeper than his own–Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed Lynette Eason’s recent Blue Justice series, so I was excited to see a new series from her, with the first two books coming out this year! This first book was intense, with lots of action as Brooke and Asher begin to uncover the truth about a fellow soldier who was accused of treason and end up discovering a sinister plot that will test their faith and skills. The action and suspense didn’t take away from the character development, as we got to know Brooke and Asher as two people struggling with the effects of trauma and trying to adjust to life after tragedy. They were relatable, believable characters, and their friends-to-more story was very well done. This nail-biter of a book is wrapped up with quite a twist, with a shocking yet satisfying ending.

I think this may be my favorite Lynette Eason series yet! Watch for the next book, Acceptable Risk, coming out in August 2020.

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 other 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! I am so excited about the book I’m sharing from today – the first book in Susan May Warren’s newest epic romantic adventure series! The Way of the Brave was just released this week, and the next two books are definitely on my must-read list for 2020. Since today is First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books, here’s the first line:

“He should have never left Alaska.”

The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren

The Basics

Title: The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren

Series: Global Search and Rescue Series (Book 1 of 3)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense/Adventure

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong, former pararescue jumper Orion Starr has no desire to join Hamilton Jones’ elite rescue team. But he also can’t shirk his duty when the call comes in to rescue three lost climbers on Denali in Alaska.

Jenny Calhoun’s yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from her guilt. The former CIA profiler and psychiatrist green-lighted an operation against the Taliban that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she’ll be forced to trust her life to the most dangerous of heroes – the man she nearly killed.

Orion and Jenny will have to put their wounds behind them to save their friends…and their hearts.

My Thoughts

Susan May Warren is a master storyteller, and she proves it once again with this first book in her Global Search and Rescue series! The characters and the setting leap right off the page; you can imagine you’re right there on Denali, trying to make it off the mountain alive, or in Afghanistan with Orion and Jenny when she made the decision changed both of them forever. They both have to come face to face with their pain, doubts, and faith in this story, and their struggles are portrayed in such a genuine way.

This book definitely has more adventure than suspense, although I think there may be more of a suspense element to later books in the series. Fans of The Montana Marshalls series will enjoy seeing glimpses of familiar characters and events from a different perspective, but you can definitely read this book without having read that series. Now I can’t wait for Jake and Ham’s stories, coming out later in 2020!

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 other 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 Friday of 2020! I’m excited to be sharing from a great new book that’s coming out next week: End Game by Rachel Dylan. I’m linking up with Hoarding Books to share the first line and my full review below.

“I think they might be keeping dead bodies in their condo!”

End Game by Rachel Dylan

The Basics

Title: End Game by Rachel Dylan

Series: Capital Intrigue (Book 1)

Publication Date: January 7, 2020

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper who Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, they wonder if there’s a deeper cover-up at play. After Bailey is targeted, it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment, Bailey and Marco rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust in this twisted conspiracy. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of them all.

My Thoughts

Rachel Dylan is quickly becoming a don’t-miss suspense author for me! This first book in her new series is a blend of suspense and thriller that centers on a deadly conspiracy that reaches deep into our government. I really enjoyed the focus on NCIS, as that’s an agency I haven’t read much about in this genre. Bailey and Marco are great main characters, and I also enjoyed the two secondary storylines and the variety of characters. The story drew me in from the beginning with the action and suspense, and the romance was sweet and heartfelt without being over the top. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!

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 other 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’ve all had a great week! Are you ready for Christmas yet? 🙂 I think I’m just about done with my shopping… if you’re still shopping for any book lovers in your life, Hoarding Books’ First Line Friday linkup is a great place to look for ideas! Today I’m sharing the first line from Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman:

“One mistake. That was all it took to put Dustee’s life on the line — death right on her heels.”

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman

The Basics

Title: Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman

Series: Homeland Heroes (Book 1)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: When cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals’ Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses’ personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness’s help, as she’s the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom’s identity.

Trouble is, she’s a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other. . . . The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

My Thoughts

This is the first of Susan Sleeman’s books I’ve read, and I have to admit, the cover was a big part of why I wanted to read it 🙂 I enjoyed some parts of the story; the focus on the RED team and on cyber crime was really interesting and unique. The hack of the WITSEC database provided plenty of action and suspense with a surprising twist at the end, but I just couldn’t connect with the two main characters. Some of Taylor and Sean’s interactions, both personal and professional, were awkward and unnatural, and the romance seemed a little forced. The other members of the team seemed a little more interesting, and I’m looking forward to giving the next book in the series a try when it comes out next year!

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

Another Friday, another book review! I’m linking up with First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books every Friday. Head over to the linkup if you want to read more first lines! 🙂 Today I’m sharing a book by a new-to-me author, David Rawlings. Keep reading for my review!

“Eighty-eight years of life reduced to a vintage, cracked briefcase sat before Daniel Whiteley.”

The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings

The Basics

Title: The Camera Never Lies

Author: David Rawlings

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Daniel, Kelly, and Milly appear to be the perfect family. But an old camera will expose secrets no one wants developed.

Daniel Whitely is a successful marriage counselor and bestselling author, yet his own marriage is in crisis and his daughter is drifting further away each day. To make matters worse, the deadline for his second book has come and gone, and he still hasn’t written a single word. 

When Daniel inherits an old camera from his grandfather, he notices an inscription on the bottom: “No matter what you think you might see, the camera never lies.” 

Daniel begins using the camera, but every time he develops his photos, they threaten to reveal secrets that could sabotage both his marriage and his career—exposing him as a fraud and destroying the life he has worked so hard to build. 

He’s faced with a choice: keep his secrets and save his career or come clean and possibly save his family. Which will he choose? Which would you choose? 

My Thoughts

This is a unique story, with a bit of a supernatural/allegorical element. While the story centers on Daniel, a marriage counselor, and his struggling family, the “main character” is definitely the camera! It only takes pictures that show the truth – the real truth about its subjects’ thoughts, feelings, and motives, even and especially when the truth is not visible on the surface. The story deals with themes of honesty, trust, and family in a fresh, thought-provoking way. It’s an easy, enjoyable read, perfect for curling up by the fire with this winter!

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

What’s the first line in the book you’re currently reading? Let me know in the comments and head over to the linkup on Hoarding Books for more!