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.

Happy Friday, friends! It’s time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books. Today I’m featuring Lisa Harris’ new release, The Traitor’s Pawn.

“Watch your back… this isn’t over.”

The Traitor’s Pawn by Lisa Harris

The Basics

Title: The Traitor’s Pawn

Author: Lisa Harris

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: When FBI agent Jack Shannon arrives in Corpus Christi, Texas, he is focused on one thing: find the man who has been selling encrypted government secrets to the Chinese through online birding chat rooms. But when a senator is shot during a hunting trip and the woman he was with is abducted, Jack agrees to join the search–especially when he discovers that the kidnapping victim is Aubrey Grayson, a woman he was once in love with.

As the search continues, it becomes clear the senator may not have been the intended victim–and Aubrey may be connected to the other case Jack is supposed to be working on. Can Jack untangle the knots before it’s too late? And when he learns the truth, will it be too painful to get past?

Join the hunt for the truth–and a traitor–in this tension-laden story of secrets, betrayal, and second chances.

My Thoughts

This book started off with high intensity and lots of action, with a plot twist right at the beginning that drew me into the story! It’s part suspense and part spy thriller, with the added intrigue of Aubrey’s personal connection to a member of the spy ring she and Jack are hunting. The high-stakes action moments are nicely woven in with quieter, more reflective moments where Aubrey and Jack reconnect. The way their relationship develops feels authentic, as they work through the issues that drove them apart years earlier and she struggles to forgive her father. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right until the end! I really enjoyed this book, and I’m eagerly awaiting Lisa Harris’ next release!

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!

If you’re shopping for books this weekend, check out Baker Book House! They’re offering some great sales, and free shipping!

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! We’ve made it through another week! I hope you’re staying safe and healthy, and finding time to relax with a good book. If you’re looking for a hopeful, encouraging story, Robin Jones Gunn’s upcoming release would be a great choice! Today I’m linking up with First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books, and featuring Being Known.

“Whenever I close my eyes and think of my mother, I see her red toenails. Her perfectly manicured toes flaunting her signature nail-polish color, Oh My, Cherry Pie.”

Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn

The Basics

Title: Being Known

Author: Robin Jones Gunn

Series: Haven Makers (Book 2)

Publication Date: April 28, 2020

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: After her mom passed away, Jennalyn was in the midst of moving, having a baby, and helping her husband work toward his dream job. At the time, she thought she processed the shock and loss, but only now that Jennalyn has two small children, a lovely new home, a lucrative side hustle with her art, and a husband who is always working does she feel the full impact of the loss.

Enter an old boyfriend who knew Jennalyn well and who shares many fond memories of her mom. Jennalyn begins to doubt her marriage and all her other life choices ever since her mom passed away. It takes the power of truth, close friends who know her well, and a series of choices at the heart level before Jennalyn can surface from the confusion and see with clarity where her life is headed.

My Thoughts

 I am so glad Robin Jones Gunn is still writing stories featuring her beloved character, Christy Miller Spencer! This is the second book in the Haven Makers series that follows a group of five friends, including Christy and her friend Sierra from another one of Robin’s series, who call themselves the Daughters of Eve and support each other through all the changes and challenges their lives bring. This story is focused on Jennalyn, the one who brought the group together. It’s definitely a character-driven rather than plot-driven story, with characters who feel so real and relatable I can imagine I might run into them at the park if I went to their California town!

I love the premise of the series, about the women who fill in the gaps for each other when they don’t have mothers or sisters to turn to. Reading this beautifully written, heartfelt story made me feel welcomed into their group wish they were real! The author deals gracefully with some tough topics that so many women face in friendships and marriages, and shows us how good friends are instrumental in helping you through the tough times – if you have the courage to be honest and vulnerable and share your heart with them.

Note: although there’s nothing graphic, there is some content that’s more mature in this book; I would recommend it for older teens and up.

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, friends! We’ve made it through another week! I don’t know about you, but I’m glad we have this fun tradition of First Line Friday linkups, to help keep a sense of routine and normalcy in these crazy times. Thanks to Hoarding Books for hosting!

Today I’m featuring Linsday Harrel’s upcoming release, The Joy of Falling. I’m cheating a little and sharing the first two lines 😉

“Once upon a time, color had dominated Eva Jamison’s days. Now she stared at a white wall, with nothing but a black computer screen, a pen holder, and a stapler decorating her tiny world.”

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel

The Basics

Title: The Joy of Falling

Author: Lindsay Harrel

Publication Date: April 14, 2020

Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: It has been fifteen months since Eva and Angela lost their thrill-seeking husbands in a scuba diving accident. Both women are trying to navigate their way through the grief, but neither one is making much progress. Angela is barely making ends meet, angry at her husband for leaving her to raise three children on her own. Meanwhile, Eva is stuck, unable to move forward after losing the love of her life and her source of inspiration.

But then Eva gets a life-changing phone call. Before Brent and Wes died, they had signed up for a race of a lifetime—an ultra-marathon in beautiful New Zealand. Eva begs Angela to run the race with her in their husbands’ place, and Angela finally agrees, hoping to finally understand her husband’s choices.

Training is exhausting, and the race is even more demanding. Their journey grows more complicated by the presence of two men—Marc is Brent’s best friend who is running the race with Eva and Angela, and Simon King is a writer who is covering their inspiring story. With every step, Eva and Angela must ask themselves questions that they haven’t had the courage to ask before. As the women literally put one foot in front of the other, they wonder: Is it possible to find their way forward in hope?

My Thoughts

Lindsay Harrell has written another heartwarming story filled with faith, purpose, and personal transformation. There were so many layers to the story – from the different family dynamics, a restored relationship between grieving sisters-in-law, finding purpose after tragedy, and a second chance at love when the person you thought you’d love forever is taken from you.

The juxtaposition of Eva and Angela’s ways of dealing with their grief – Eva’s idolization and romanticization of her late husband, and Angela’s anger at hers – helped to provide rich characterization and a realistic picture of the different forms grief can take. Their journeys of spiritual, emotional, and relational transformation were beautifully reflected in the physical transformation they underwent training for the ultra marathon. I think this is Lindsay Harrell’s best book yet!

If you haven’t ordered this book yet, Baker Book House would be a great place to get it! They’re offering some great sales and free shipping, so it’s a perfect opportunity to stock up on books for the next few weeks 🙂

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! I hope you’re all staying healthy and doing well after another week of quarantine/isolation. I know I’m looking forward to diving in to a good book this weekend! 🙂

Today I’m linking up with Hoarding Books for another First Line Friday, and featuring Cara Putman’s upcoming release, Flight Risk. Keep reading for the first line and my review below!

Monday, December 7

“‘Savannah, call for you on line one. Says he’s a reporter. Never heard of him.'”

Flight Risk by Cara Putman

The Basics

Title: Flight Risk

Author: Cara Putman

Publication Date: April 7, 2020

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Savannah Daniels has worked hard to build her law practice, to surround herself with good friends, and to be the loyal aunt her troubled niece can always count on. But since her ex-husband’s betrayal, she has trouble trusting anyone.

Jett Glover’s father committed suicide over a false newspaper report that ruined his reputation. Now a fierce champion of truth, Jett is writing the story of his journalism career—an international sex-trafficking exposé that will bring down a celebrity baseball player and the men closest to him, including Savannah’s ex-husband.

When Jett’s story breaks, tragedy ensues. Then a commercial airline crashes, and one of Savannah’s clients is implicated in the crash. Men connected to the scandal, including her ex, begin to die amid mysterious circumstances, and Savannah’s niece becomes an unwitting target.

Against their better instincts, Jett and Savannah join ranks to sort the facts from fiction. But can Savannah trust the reporter who threw her life into chaos? And can Jett face the possibility that he’s made the biggest mistake of his life?

My Thoughts

This book is part legal thriller, part suspense, and full of high-stakes action! With complex characters and an intricately woven plot, Cara Putman has cemented her position as one of my go-to suspense authors. The main characters in the story are a lawyer and an investigative reporter, allowing the story to be told in a unique way. The development of their relationship – from antagonistic, to begrudgingly working together, to friendship and eventually more – feels genuine and natural. I appreciated that they are a little older than main characters typically are in this genre; their life experiences and past struggles make the story much richer, and their romance is based on a foundation of friendship that makes sense with their story.

As with any good suspense novel, there is much more to the story than what meets the eye, and the discovery at the end of who was behind it all was just as shocking to me as it was to the characters!

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 seems like our world has completely changed since last Friday… how are you doing with all the craziness? On the bright side, if you’re social distancing or self-isolating, hopefully you’ll have some extra reading time! 🙂

For today’s First Line Friday post, I’m featuring Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese. It doesn’t come out for a little over a week, but when it is available, I think it will be the perfect hope-filled book to lighten your heart in these strange times!

“If Obsessive Email Checking Disorder were a disease, I was likely already in the final stages: trigger thumb, mindless refreshing, aimless scrolling, and, of course, an inability to focus on anything else in the entire world.”

Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese

The Basics

Title: Before I Called You Mine

Author: Nicole Deese

Publication Date: March 31, 2020

Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there’s only one match she’s committed to now–the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first-grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency’s requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.
 
Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.
 
With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

My Thoughts

“We aren’t powerful enough to mess up God’s plan. Can we deny it? Yes. Can we delay it while we chase our own way? Absolutely. But sometimes our character needs time to catch up to our calling.”

This story had me feeling all the feels! I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster ride with Lauren, through the anticipation, excitement, and heartbreak she felt during her adoption journey. Ms. Deese did such a great job of introducing us to the characters, slowly letting us see more of their motivations and hearts, making them deeply engaging and relatable.

Joshua was such a swoon-worthy hero – seemingly a perfect match for Lauren, except for the timing of when they met, making her question God’s calling on her life. I loved that the story centered on adoption; that’s such an important topic to see portrayed realistically, especially in faith circles. It all added up to an engaging, impactful story that I finished the book in 48 hours; I just had to know what would happen! This was the first book of Nicole Deese’s I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last. 

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! If you’re looking for a good book to devour this weekend, look no further than Chasing the White Lion by James R. Hannibal. I’m sharing the first line of this international spy thriller for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books, as well as my full review below!

Volgograd, Russia
Wharf District
Present Day

“The cabdriver cast a nervous glance at the alley’s unlit streetlamps and blacked-out windows.”

Chasing the White Lion by James R. Hannibal

Title: Chasing the White Lion

Author: James R. Hannibal

Series: Clandestine Service (Book 2)

Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Young CIA officer Talia Inger has reconciled with the man who assassinated her father, but that doesn’t mean she wants him hovering over her every move and unearthing the painful past she’s trying to put behind her. Still, she’ll need him–and the help of his star grifter, Valkyrie–if she hopes to infiltrate the Jungle, the first ever crowdsourced crime syndicate, to rescue a group of kidnapped refugee children.

But as Talia and her elite team of thieves con their way into the heart of the Jungle, inching ever closer to syndicate boss the White Lion, she’ll run right up against the ragged edge of her family’s dark past. In this game of cat and mouse, it’s win . . . or die. And in times like that, it’s always good to have someone watching your back.

Former tactical deception officer and stealth pilot James Hannibal takes you deep undercover into the criminal underworld where everyone has an angle and no one escapes unscathed.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Gryphon Heist (read my review here), and this one is even better! The action is nonstop from the beginning, as Talia and her team try to identify a traitor in the CIA who’s trying to have her killed. There’s a lot going on in this book, and sometimes it can be a little difficult to keep track of all the players, but it’s worth the effort to reach the high-stakes, thrilling conclusion! The plot is full of twists and turns, moments that make you hold your breath and keep you guessing. I loved watching Talia grow in her faith throughout the book, as she learns to trust God and her team, and is able to share her faith with her team in a natural, beautiful way.

James R. Hannibal’s unique brand of suspense and thriller is sure to be a hit, with heists and cons around every corner and a cast of quirky characters unlike any other in Christian fiction.

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!

Happy Friday! Today I’m joining Hoarding Books‘ First Line Friday linkup and featuring Colleen Coble’s upcoming release, One Little Lie.

“Button eyed the compound’s exit and forced herself to trudge behind her parents as the pain intensified in her belly. She stifled a groan and filed into the Mount Sinai meeting hall.”

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble

The Basics

Title: One Little Lie by Colleen Coble

Series: The Pelican Harbor Series (Book 1 of 2)

Publication Date: March 3, 2020

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, but there’s no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane quickly realizes she’s facing someone out to destroy the only family she has.

After escaping with her father from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is well-known for his documentaries, and his latest project involves covering Jane’s career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid’s calm manner as he follows her around filming, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross—especially once her father’s lie catches up with him.

My Thoughts

This book is one of Colleen Coble’s best yet! It grabbed my attention from the first page and I couldn’t put it down; I finished it in one day! The characters were so multi-layered and intriguing. More secrets about Jane and Reid’s pasts were revealed with each chapter, as the cases they were investigating became more troubling and multi-faceted. Their background stories of coming out of a cult were fascinating, and I can’t wait to see more of how that plays out in the next book.

This book has all the elements of a great story – a southern small town, a strong female lead trying to overcome her broken past, and plenty of action and suspense with secrets and twists you never see coming. It’s definitely heavier on the suspense than the romance, which feels authentic considering the characters and their stories – and leaves plenty of room to explore their relationship in future books. I predict this series will be one for the keeper shelf!

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.