Happy Friday! The weather here has felt like spring the last couple of days – almost nice enough to make up for the hour we’re about to lose this weekend! For today’s edition of the First Line Friday linkup hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m featuring The Way It Should Be by Christina Suzann Nelson.

“The most beautiful things are those that survive a storm and find their glory in the restoration.”

The Way It Should Be by Christina Suzann Nelson

The Basics

Title: The Way It Should Be

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Publication Date: February 2, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly and completely intertwined again. Eve’s troubled lifestyle causes the state to take custody of her two children and contact Zara and her husband, asking them to consider foster care. Newlywed Zara thought she’d finally been given a fresh start and feels wholly unprepared to care for a niece and nephew whose existence she wasn’t even aware of.

Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance to start over this time with the help of Tiff Bradley, who’s dedicated to helping women everyone else has given up on after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family.

Over the course of one summer, all three women’s hearts and lives hang in the balance as Eve desperately works toward a new life. Can they redefine their expectations of how life should be to find the hope they–and those they love–so desperately need?

My Thoughts

Christina Suzann Nelson has written a powerful, emotionally engaging story full of compelling characters. She did a great job of telling the story from the perspectives of three different women. The variety of viewpoints and the range of emotions all of the characters felt gave the story authenticity. The book doesn’t shy away from the gritty parts of life, but tackles topics like addiction, domestic violence, and foster care with honesty and grace.

While the book does deal with serious issues, there are still light-hearted moments throughout. Ultimately it is a story of hope, healing, and forgiveness, as each woman experiences transformation in her own unique way. While you might see yourself more in one than the others, Eve, Zara, and Tiff are all characters we can relate to in some way. All of the loose ends were not tied up with a bow at the end, and I thought that made the ending realistic and true to the story. This story tugged at my heartstrings and made me think – it will stick with me for a long time! I definitely recommended this book, especially for fans of Beth Vogt, Amanda Cox, and Rachel Linden.

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! Can you believe it’s March already? The days are starting to get longer, and I’m looking forward to when it’s warm enough to read outside!

Today I’m joining the First Line Friday linkup hosted by Hoarding Books, where participants share the first line from a nearby book. This week I’m featuring The Orchard House by Heidi Chiavaroli – keep reading for the first line and my review!

Concord, Massachusetts

July 1995

“Thirteen isn’t quite grown-up, but it’s old enough for a girl to realize that hope can be a dangerous thing.”

The Orchard House by Heidi Chiavaroli

The Basics

Title: The Orchard House

Author: Heidi Chiavaroli

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Genre: Women’s Fiction

From the Back Cover: Two women, one living in present day Massachusetts and another in Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House soon after the Civil War, overcome their own personal demons and search for a place to belong.

2001
Abandoned by her own family, Taylor is determined not to mess up her chance at joining the home of her best friend, Victoria Bennett. But despite attending summer camp at Louisa May Alcott’s historic Orchard House with Victoria and sharing dreams of becoming famous authors, Taylor struggles to fit in. As she enters college and begins dating, it feels like Taylor is finally finding her place and some stability . . . until Victoria’s betrayal changes everything.

1865
While Louisa May Alcott is off traveling the world, Johanna Suhre accepts a job tending Louisa’s aging parents and their home in Concord. Soon after arriving at Orchard House, Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft and, ignoring Louisa’s words of caution, falls in love and accepts Nathan’s proposal. But before long, Johanna experiences her husband’s dark side, and she can’t hide the bruises that appear.

2019
After receiving news of Lorraine Bennett’s cancer diagnosis, Taylor knows she must return home to see her adoptive mother again. Now a successful author, Taylor is determined to spend little time in Concord. Yet she becomes drawn into the story of a woman who lived there centuries before. And through her story, Taylor may just find forgiveness and a place to belong.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! I’m not all that familiar with Louisa May Alcott; I watched the movie Little Women a long time ago, but I’ve never read any of her books. I loved The Tea Chest, Heidi’s last book, so thought I would give this one a try. I’m so glad I did!

Although the connection to Louisa May Alcott isn’t what drew me in, the beautiful writing and storytelling had me quickly invested in both Taylor and Johanna’s timelines. Taylor’s powerful story of betrayal, forgiveness, and learning the meaning of family was beautifully tied in with Johanna’s story, and I loved how the historical and present-day timelines came together in the end. Heidi Chiavaroli’s beautiful writing style and excellent storytelling ability make this a captivating novel! I would recommend The Orchard House for fans of historical and women’s fiction, especially fans of Rachel Hauck and Erin Bartels.

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’ve had a great week! I can’t believe it’s already time for another First Line Friday linkup hosted by Hoarding Books, but I’m so excited to feature Patricia Bradley’s newest release, Obsession.

“The January warm spell had definitely ended in South Mississippi.”

Obsession by Patricia Bradley

The Basics

Title: Obsession

Author: Patricia Bradley

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers (Book 2)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she’s forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed.

Sam knows that he has failed Emma in the past and he doesn’t intend to let her down again. Especially since her life is on the line. As the threads of the investigation cross and tangle with their own personal history, Sam and Emma have a chance to discover the truth, not only about the victim but about what went wrong in their relationship.

My Thoughts

This book kept me guessing all the way through – I couldn’t put it down! Sam and Emma are forced to reconcile after a rocky past when they are thrown together to investigate two crimes: someone shooting at Emma seemingly to disrupt her work, and someone stalking her. As they are drawn deeper into the web of danger and secrets, it appears that the two crimes are connected, and may also be linked to Emma’s twin brother’s disappearance ten years ago.

I love the unique setting of Natchez Trace National Park! It lends itself to unique situations and puts the spotlight on park rangers, a lesser-known branch of law enforcement. I really enjoyed Emma and Sam’s relationship; the pacing felt authentic and developed naturally as they began to trust each other again after a broken engagement. It was just the right amount of romance to complement the suspense. The way the chapters from the stalker’s perspective were woven in made it hard to guess his identity at first, but gave enough insight to keep me on edge wondering how he would pull off his plans. I highly recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense, especially to readers who enjoy authors such as Natalie Walters, Lynette Eason, and Lisa Harris.

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. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Friday! Another week has already come and gone… and that means it’s time for another First Line Friday. Today, I’m joining the linkup hosted by Hoarding Books and sharing the first line of Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill.

“How long could a human being scream?”

Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill

The Basics

Title: Network of Deceit

Author: Tom Threadgill

Series: Amara Alvarez (Book 2)

Genre: Christian Suspense

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: After her rescue of nearly fifty kidnapped children made international headlines, Amara Alvarez gets what she’s worked for: a transfer to San Antonio’s Homicide Division. But reality sets in quickly when her first case, the suspicious death of a teenager at a crowded local water park, plunges her life into chaos.

As the investigation moves forward, Amara finds herself stalked online by cybercriminals who uncover her personal life in frightening detail. With few leads, she’s forced to resort to unconventional methods to find the killer and prevent her first murder investigation from ending up in the cold case files.

Tom Threadgill is back with another riveting page-turner featuring the detective who is willing to put everything on the line to see justice served and lives protected.

My Thoughts

Detective Amara Alvarez is back after her debut in Collision of Lies! During her first investigation as a member the Homicide Division of the San Antonio PD, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a group of hackers with some big secrets to hide. Amara is one of my favorite fictional law enforcement characters and reminds me of another one of my favorites, Raleigh Harmon. She is smart, tenacious, and has great instincts. I loved how the author’s writing style created the feeling that the reader is joining Amara in the investigation, piecing the evidence together alongside her.

In this book, we learn more about Amara’s family and get to see how her job affects her daily life. I especially loved the banter between her and Starsky – I can’t wait to see how their relationship progresses in potential future books! From the suspense to the character development, everything about this book felt authentic and made it hard to put down. I highly recommend this book (and series!) to fans of mystery and suspense.

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! If you are looking for a fantastic book to get lost in this weekend, look no further than When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin. I am so excited to be featuring this stunning historical romance for today’s edition of First Line Friday, the weekly linkup hosted by Hoarding Books.

Berlin, Germany

Tuesday, March 15, 1938

“Evelyn Brand had done a crack bit of journalism, and she hadn’t even had to dress like a man to do so.”

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

The Basics

Title: When Twilight Breaks

Author: Sarah Sundin

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Munich, 1938

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession and to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country–or worse. If she does not report truthfully, she’ll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party–to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can’t get off his mind.

As the world marches relentlessly toward war, Evelyn and Peter are on a collision course with destiny.

My Thoughts

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would! When Twilight Breaks is a Sarah Sundin’s best work yet. She has proven once again why she is a master storyteller and one of the best authors of WWII fiction! This story is unique among her books, as it takes place before the war and features main characters who are not members of the military. It was fascinating to read more about what life was like for Americans in prewar Nazi Germany.

Peter and Evelyn are both rich, compelling characters. With her spunk and determination, and his steady, protective nature, they complement each other so well. I felt like I was right there in Germany with them, as Peter came to realize necessity of balancing order and freedom, and Evelyn insisted on finding and sharing the truth, no matter the consequences. Their story is perfectly intertwined with the historical events of the time, full of the detail and accuracy Sundin is known for. Tension and intrigue add sparks to the story as Peter and Evelyn find themselves in danger again and again, never sure who they can trust.

Books like this one are the reason I love reading – I love the feeling of finding a story that captivates my heart and my mind, and shows me something about the world from a different perspective. I’m sure this powerful story of faith, commitment, and courage will stay with you long after the last page as it has with me.

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! I am so excited about the book I’m featuring for First Line Friday today – it’s a fresh take on suspense that isn’t like anything I’ve read before! If you enjoy suspense, thrillers, or time travel, Cast the First Stone by David James Warren (a collaboration between Susan May Warren, James L. Rubart, and David Curtis Warren) should be at the top of your TBR list.

“It’s the regrets that keep me awake.”

Cast the First Stone by David James Warren

The Basics

Title: Cast the First Stone

Author: David James Warren

Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone (Book 1 of 6)

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Genre: Suspense, Time Travel Thriller

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: One case haunts him. One chance to fix the past. One mistake could cost him everything.

Ex-Minneapolis Police Detective Rembrandt Stone walked away from a career he loved—just the price of being sure he can come home to the wife and daughter he cherishes. But he can’t shake the deep regret over a case left behind.

When his mentor, the former Chief of Homicide dies and leaves Rembrandt with a box of cold cases and a mysterious watch, he finds himself thrust into a world he recognizes—a world from twenty years ago—the same world he’s woken from in a cold sweat a hundred times. But is it a dream, or some kind of twisted reality?

If he solves the case that plagues him, and justice is finally served, will it destroy the life he loves?

My Thoughts

Cast the First Stone is a totally unique spin on the suspense genre, featuring a time traveling detective named Rembrandt Stone. The collaboration between these three fabulous authors makes for a thrilling story I couldn’t put down! I’m not usually a fan of the sci-fi genre, so I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the time travel in this book, but I am a big fan of Susan May Warren – I should have known that this book would be amazing!

Rembrandt Stone is a character that you will fall in love and root for from the first page. He is a dedicated family man, struggling with writer’s block and haunted by the cold cases he left behind when he left the police force. When he finds himself back at the scene of his first cold case, he has the chance to solve it this time… but at what cost?

These master storytellers have crafted a novel full of gripping suspense, intrigue, and flawed yet relatable characters. I can only imagine that their skill will become more apparent throughout the series as more of the time travel plot is revealed. My heart was in my throat by the ending of this book – what a cliffhanger! I am so glad there are five more books in this series and that they are all coming out this year; I’m already wishing for book 2!

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 as part of the launch team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday, fellow readers! It’s hard to believe it’s the last Friday in January already – the first month of 2021 is almost over! Today I’m joining the First Line Friday linkup hosted by Hoarding Books and featuring ‘Til I Want No More by Robin W. Pearson.

“‘You know trouble ain’t catchin’.’ Ruby Tagle’s dark eyes flicked in her granddaughter’s direction. ‘Nobody’s gon’ sneeze and give it to you or your Theodore.'”

‘Til I Want No More by Robin W. Pearson

The Basics

Title: ‘Til I Want No More

Author: Robin W. Pearson

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: When the man she loved years ago returns to town, one young woman’s complicated past rises again, threatening to expose her well-kept secrets.

If Maxine could put her finger on the moment when her life went into a tailspin, she would point back twenty years to the day her daddy died. She tells herself he’s the only person who ever really knew and loved her, and if he hadn’t left her behind, her future would’ve taken a different path. No absentee mother, no stepfather, no rebellious ripping and running during her teenage years. And no JD, who gave her wandering young heart a home, at least for a time.

But that’s over and done with. All grown-up now, Maxine has pledged her heart and ring finger to Theodore Charles, the man she’ll promise to love, honor, and obey in front of God and everybody. At least that’s what she’s telling anybody who will listen. The only folks buying it are the dog and the readers of her column, however. Her best friend and family aren’t having it—not even Celeste, the double bass–playing thirteen-year-old the community of Mount Laurel, North Carolina, believes is Maxine’s adopted sister. And apparently, neither is the newly returned JD, who seems intent on toppling Maxine’s reconstructed life. As her wedding day marches ever closer, Maxine confronts what it means to be really known and loved by examining what’s buried in her own heart and exposing truth that has never seen the light of day.

My Thoughts

Robin W. Pearson has written a poignant story of forgiveness and redemption in ‘Til I Want No More. This novel is definitely character-driven and moves at a slower pace, but that is part of its Southern charm. Maxine is a compelling heroine – although at times you want to say, “What were you thinking?,” her fears, dreams, and inner musings make her so relatable. The whole cast of characters – Maxine’s parents and grandparents, her friend Evelyn, and Pastor Atwater and his wife all added richness and depth to the story as they helped Maxine face her past.

This book is a powerful look at how the secrets we keep can have such an impact on everyone around us – but it’s never too late to tell the truth and be set free. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of Lauren K. Denton, Beth Vogt, and Ashley Clark!

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! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m sharing from a new book by one of my favorite suspense authors. Active Defense, the third book in Lynette Eason’s Danger Never Sleeps series, just came out a couple of weeks ago. It’s one you won’t want to miss!

September

Kabul, Afghanistan

“Dr. Heather Fontaine strapped her feet into the sandboard and pushed off.”

Active Defense by Lynette Eason

The Basics

Title: Active Defense

Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Danger Never Sleeps (Book 3 of 4)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

She’s used to life-or-death situations.
She just didn’t expect them to follow her home.

When former field surgeon Heather Fontaine returns from a party to find that someone has broken into her house–and threatened her friends–she assumes it is the stalker who has been creeping her out. She hopes to find safety and peace of mind by leaving the city and hiding out in a small town. But trouble follows her even there.

Luckily, a stalker isn’t the only one observing Heather. Travis Walker has been secretly watching out for her for weeks. As owner of his own security agency, it’s what he does. Together, Travis and Heather must figure out who wants her dead–and why–before it’s too late.

My Review

Lynette Eason has written another intense, action-packed suspense novel in Active Defense! This is the third book in the Danger Never Sleeps series, that follows four friends as they return stateside from their military service. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the overlapping characters definitely add richness to each story.

This story is full of twists and turns, as a tragedy Heather experienced in Afghanistan appears to have followed her home. The action ramps up throughout the book – danger seems to be around every corner for Heather, and Travis as he tries to protect her. All of the suspense culminates in a major plot twist at the end! I was definitely shocked when the perpetrator was revealed.

I highly recommend this book, and the whole series, to fans of romantic suspense! If you enjoy authors like Dani Pettrey, Rachel Dylan, and Lisa Harris, you won’t want to miss this one. Watch for the fourth and final book in the series, Hostile Intent, which is coming out in August!

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, and welcome to another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books! Today I’m sharing the first line of a legal thriller that just released this week: Lethal Intent by Cara Putman.

“The phone felt warm against her cheek. Caroline Bragg ran a hand along the edge of the clothes hanging in her closet and inhaled, then slowly released her breath.”

Lethal Intent by Cara Putman

The Basics

Title: Lethal Intent

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman. 

Caroline Bragg’s life has never been better. She and Brandon Lancaster are taking their relationship to the next level, and she has a new dream job as legal counsel for Praecursoria—a research lab that is making waves with its cutting-edge genetic therapies. The company’s leukemia treatments even promise to save desperately sick kids—kids like eleven-year-old Bethany, a critically ill foster child at Brandon’s foster home. 

When Caroline’s enthusiastic boss wants to enroll Bethany in experimental trials prematurely, Caroline objects, putting her at odds with her colleagues. They claim the only goal at Praecursoria is to save lives. But does someone have another agenda? 

Brandon faces his own crisis. As laws governing foster homes shift, he’s on the brink of losing the group home he’s worked so hard to build. When Caroline learns he’s a Praecursoria investor, it becomes legally impossible to confide in him. Will the secrets she keeps become a wedge that separates them forever? And can she save Bethany from the very treatments designed to heal her? 

This latest romantic legal thriller by bestseller Cara Putman shines a light on the shadowy world of scientific secrets and corporate vendettas—and the ethical dilemmas that plague the place where science and commerce meet.

My Thoughts

Cara Putman writes excellent legal thrillers, and Lethal Intent is my favorite of her books so far! The combination of legal and medical issues brought up some ethical dilemmas that added to the suspense in a unique way. I loved the dynamics between Caroline and Brandon – they had been friends for years and were already dating at the beginning of the book, so the story follows the growth rather than the beginning of their relationship. That’s not as common in romantic suspense, but it worked so well for this story! I also really enjoyed the focus on foster care, especially learning about the different challenges Brandon faced with his unique version of a foster home.

This book does include some characters from Cara Putman’s past books, but it is a stand-alone novel. I would recommend Lethal Intent for fans of romantic suspense, especially fans of Rachel Dylan and Irene Hannon.

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.