Happy Friday! Today I’m joining the First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Reading is My Superpower, and featuring Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman.

Katangela, Africa

“Captain Rick Norton crouched near the edge of the dirt road.”

Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman

The Basics

Title: Honor Bound

Author: Hallee Bridgeman

Series: Love & Honor (Book 1 of 3)

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord’s mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces A-Team on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia’s life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia doesn’t want to like anything about Rick and his team–but an unexpected attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he’s beginning to think that, despite their differences, they just may be able to make a life together.

My Review

Honor Bound is the perfect blend of romance, suspense, and military thriller all rolled into one! I loved the inside look at how a Special Forces team operates – the action, camaraderie, and dry wit shine with the author’s writing style. Rick and Cynthia seem like an unlikely pair at first, as they don’t see eye to eye on when violence is appropriate, but they both grow to respect and appreciate the other’s perspective. The fast-paced plot and compelling characters make this a book that fans of Dee Henderson and Ronie Kendig will love! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and Hallee Bridgeman’s backlist!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Friday! After a couple of weeks off, I’m back to link up with Reading is My Superpower for this week’s First Line Friday! Today I am featuring Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin.

“She ran.”

Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin

The Basics

Title: Dangerous Beauty

Author: Melissa Koslin

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

What is the price of freedom?

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She’s not a victim, she’s a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she’s determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers. But she can’t stay safely in America–unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Instead, he becomes the key to Liliana’s rescue. If he can keep his secrets hidden, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

My Review

Dangerous Beauty is the newest novel by Melissa Koslin, a fresh new voice in Christian fiction! I was immediately intrigued by the marriage of convenience plot combined with suspense, and the story did not disappoint! Liliana is a captivating heroine – smart, strong, and tough as nails, yet vulnerable. The blend of heart-pounding action, compelling characters, and powerful storytelling will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning pages late into the night! Fans of hope-filled romantic suspense will enjoy this one.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Friday! It’s time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Reading is My Superpower. Today I”m featuring Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright.

October 1944

“The Army moved in on a Sunday.”

Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright

The Basics

Title: Come Down Somewhere

Author: Jennifer L. Wright

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

Genre: WWII Historical Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Sixteen-year-old Olive Alexander has lived on a ranch in the Jornada del Muerto region of southern New Mexico her entire life. But when World War II begins, the government seizes her family’s land for the construction of a new, top secret Army post.

While her mother remains behind, Olive is forced to live in nearby Alamogordo with her grandmother and find a place in a new school. When Jo Hawthorne crosses her path, Olive sees a chance for friendship–until she learns that Jo’s father is the Army sergeant who now occupies her beloved ranch. Already angry about her new reality, Olive pushes Jo away. But as she struggles to make sense of her grandmother’s lapses into the past and increasingly unsettling hints about what’s happening at the ranch, she slowly warms to Jo’s winsome faith and steady attempts at friendship . . . until one devastating day when the sky explodes around them and their lives are torn apart.

Seven years later, Jo returns to Alamogordo, still angry and wounded by the betrayals of that fateful day. Determined to put the past behind her once and for all, Jo hunts for answers and begins to realize the truth may be far more complicated than she believed, leading her on a desperate search to find her friend before it’s too late.

My Review

Jennifer L. Wright has written a coming-of-age story that will captivate readers of historical fiction. In the story of Olive and Jo’s unlikely friendship, we see a glimpse of the far-reaching, long-lasting effects of war – not just on nations, but on communities, families, and individuals. The Trinity nuclear test was something I had never read about, and it made for a compelling story, both for the historical aspect and the way Ms. Wright shaped the characters’ lives and stories around it. This beautifully-written story of friendship, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness is one that will stay with you long after the final page. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read whatever Ms. Wright 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 Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Friday! We’ve made it through another week, and now it’s time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Reading is My Superpower. This week, I’m featuring Denise Hunter’s upcoming release, Harvest Moon.

“It was not the sort of day when bad things happened.”

Harvest Moon by Denise Hunter

The Basics

Title: Harvest Moon

Author: Denise Hunter

Series: A Riverbend Romance (Book 3 of 3)

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Forever walking the line between passion and conflict, Laurel and Gavin’s relationship ended in divorce after years of miscommunication and unmet expectations. Now pursuing their own separate lives and careers, the two are content . . . though not completely happy.

When their best friends, Mike and Mallory, are killed in a plane crash, Laurel and Gavin are stunned to learn they’ve been named guardians of their friends’ young daughter, Emma. Putting their differences aside, the estranged couple search for a suitable guardian as they care for Emma and manage Mike and Mallory’s apple orchard.

Soon tempers flare—as does the passion they both remember so well. And Laurel and Gavin find themselves working through their past—their mistakes, their miscommunications, and ultimately the tragedy that ended their marriage.

Will the seeds of love, still growing inside them, thrive and flourish? Or will grief and regret strangle the feelings before they can fully blossom?

My Review

Harvest Moon is the third and final book in Denise Hunter’s Riverbend Romance series, set in a small town on the Appalachian Trail. In this book, we finally find out the details of the tragedy that brought Gavin, the third Robinson sibling, home to Riverbend. The story alternates between the present day, when exes Laurel and Gavin are drawn back together after another tragedy, and the backstory of how they first met and fell in love.

The book does deal with several serious topics, including grief, loss, illness, divorce, and parental neglect. However, these issues are deftly handled and show the growth in the characters’ lives. It’s a bit of a slow-moving story, focused on character development more than plot, but is a poignant depiction of real life challenges and joys. Denise Hunter’s fans will enjoy this installment in the Riverbend Romance 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 Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Friday! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, I’m featuring Tammy L. Gray’s newest book, Love and the Dream Come True.

“Music used to be my breath, my muse, my one sure-and-steady force.”

Love and the Dream Come True by Tammy L. Gray

The Basics

Title: Love and the Dream Come True

Author: Tammy L. Gray

Series: State of Grace (Book 3 of 3)

Publication Date: August 2, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Four years after getting the biggest break of his life, Cameron Lee’s music career has taken a nosedive, leaving him two options: become a sellout or give up on his lifelong dream. He reluctantly returns home for his sister’s wedding, hoping to avoid his past and find his love for music again.

Single mom Lexie Walters has suffered her fair share of tragedies and setbacks, but she has finally scraped together the money to achieve her dream of going into business with her cousin as an interior designer. When Lexie’s life is at an all-time high, she runs into her teenage crush, Cameron Lee.

Lost in the emotional turmoil of failure, Cameron is immediately drawn to Lexie and her infectious smile and optimistic spirit. Moreover, he adores her mouthy, no-holds-barred daughter. But fantasies only last so long, and soon Lexie and Cameron must face the real world, the one fraught with heartbreak, disappointment, and questions that sometimes can only be answered by a leap of faith.

My Review

Love and the Dream Come True is the third and final book in the State of Grace series, and picks up a few years after the last book left off. I definitely recommend reading the whole series in order, as characters and storylines are continued through all three books. In this satisfying conclusion, we finally understand all sides of the situations that tore this friend group apart.

Cameron was my least favorite character in the previous books, but he redeemed himself in this one – in every sense of the word! He and Lexie brought out the best in each other, encouraged each other to grow, and turned into a couple I was rooting for all the way through. Lexie’s daughter Morgan added spunk and sass to this heartfelt story of forgiveness, redemption, and faith. I highly recommend this book (and series) to fans of inspirational contemporary romance authors like Nicole Deese!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy First Line Friday! Hope you can stay cool and read a good book this weekend 🙂 Today I’m featuring Deception, the latest installment in Patricia Bradley’s Natchez Trace Park Rangers series.

“Today was not a good day to die.”

Deception by Patricia Bradley

The Basics

Title: Deception

Author: Patricia Bradley

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers (Book 4 of 4)

Publication Date: August 2, 2022

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

After being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense, ISB ranger Madison Thorn is happy to be working in the fraud and cybercrimes division. At least numbers don’t lie. So she’s less than thrilled when she’s drawn into a violent crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi. She could also do without being forced to work with former-childhood-enemy-turned-infuriatingly-handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.

When a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked on the same night Madison’s grandfather is shot, it becomes clear that there is something much bigger going on . . . and that Madison herself is in danger. Madison and Clayton will have to work together–and suppress their growing feelings for one another–if they are to discover the truth before it’s too late.

My Review

Deception is the fantastic conclusion to Patricia Bradley’s Natchez Trace Park Rangers series! While all four books take place in the same location, they can each be read alone. I love the unique setting and the twist on the suspense genre by featuring law enforcement park rangers!

In this book, we meet Madison and Clayton, childhood acquaintances who are thrown together when a case becomes personal. The twists and turns keep coming when they realize there is more to Madison’s adoption than she ever imagined. The intricate plot is fast-paced enough to keep tensions high, while also allowing characters and relationships to develop. I had my suspicions about who was behind the attacks on Madison and her grandfather, but there was still a twist that surprised me at the end! The faith thread is compelling and flows seamlessly in the story. If you are a fan of romantic suspense, don’t miss this 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 Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy First Line Friday! Today I am featuring a new release by another new-to-me author: The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron.

18 May 1944
Tiber Island
Rome, Italy

“Never open a locked door unless you’re certain death doesn’t lurk behind it.”

The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron

The Basics

Title: The Italian Ballerina

Author: Kristy Cambron

Publication Date: July 12, 2022

Genre: Split-Time WWII Historical Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

At the height of the Nazi occupation of Rome, an unlikely band of heroes comes together to save innocent lives in this breathtaking World War II novel based on real historical events.

Rome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. But when she learns of a deadly sickness sweeping through the quarantine wards—a fake disease known only as Syndrome K—she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history. Alongside hospital staff, friars of the adjoining church, and two Allied medics, Julia risks everything to rescue Jewish Italians from the deadly clutches of the Holocaust. Soon a little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina arrives at their door, and Julia is determined to reunite the young dancer with her family—if only she would reveal one crucial secret: her name.

Present Day. Delaney Coleman recently lost her grandfather—a beloved small-town doctor and World War II veteran, so she returns home to help her aging parents. When a mysterious Italian woman reaches out claiming to own one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to travel to Italy and uncover the truth of her grandfather’s hidden past. With the help of the woman’s skeptical but charming grandson, Delaney learns of a Roman hospital that saved hundreds of Jewish people during the war. Soon, everything Delaney thought she knew about her grandfather comes into question.

Based on true accounts of the invented Syndrome K sickness, The Italian Ballerina journeys from the Allied storming of the beaches at Salerno to the London ballet stage and the war-torn streets of World War II Rome, exploring the sometimes heart-wrenching choices we must make to find faith and forgiveness, and how saving a single life can impact countless others.

My Review

This was the first of Kristy Cambron’s novels I have read, and I was immediately drawn into this intricately woven World War II story. The historical details are fascinating, brought to life by vibrant characters who leap (and dance) off the page. I did find the historical timeline a little hard to follow at first, as it jumped around between several different years, but it all came together and thoroughly captured my attention. Through Delaney’s story in the present, we discover the past alongside her, and are reminded how one courageous action can change the course of generations. This beautiful story has put Kristy Cambron on my list of must-read WWII authors! I highly recommend it to fans of Sarah Sundin and Melanie Dobson.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Friday! I’m so excited to share this book with you today for First Line Friday – The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is Sara Brunsvold’s amazing debut novel.

“Clara Kip had prayed repeatedly to die in São Paulo. It truly seemed the smallest of requests.”

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

The Basics

Title: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

Author: Sara Brunsvold

Publication Date: July 5, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Christian Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care.

But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her–but she’s going to have to work for it.

My Review

“I simply tried to love people as best I could for as long as I was privileged to be with them.”

What an incredible book! I wasn’t sure what to expect from a debut novel, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a captivating story in these pages! It might seem strange to call this book delightful, since it deals so honestly with death, but it truly was a delight to read. While it is somewhat bittersweet, the way Mrs. Kip’s faith was evident in how she lived and faced death was both convicting and inspiring. Her wisdom and spunk can charm the toughest of audiences, and Aidyn’s growth and transformation was so moving. This heartfelt story will make you laugh, cry, and want to be like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Happy Saturday! I’m a little late to the party for First Line Friday, but I’m still linking up with Reading is My Superpower 🙂 Today I’m featuring Critical Alliance, the newest book by Elizabeth Goddard.

“Her world was spinning out of control.”

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard

The Basics

Title: Critical Alliance

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Series: Rocky Mountain Courage (Book 3 of 3)

Publication Date: July 5, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

She’s seeking answers. He’s seeking respite.
The past is seeking both of them.

Mackenzie Hanson’s special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father’s tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and protect her father’s company.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he’s trying to relax, he’s drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common–a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need–before someone silences Mackenzie for good.

My Review

Critical Alliance was my favorite of the Rocky Mountain Courage series! The focus is on Alex and Mackenzie, but we also get to catch up with characters from the first two books. I would recommend reading the series in order, but you won’t be lost if you start with this one!

The action and suspense in this story will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat! The ruggedly beautiful Montana setting is the perfect backdrop for the twists and turns Alex and Mackenzie face as they race to find out who is behind the threats to her life. The cybersecurity angle was a unique element, and not hard at all to understand or follow. The blend of character development and action kept the story moving at just the right pace. If you enjoy inspirational romantic suspense, I highly recommend Critical Alliance and the whole Rocky Mountain Courage 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 Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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

Welcome to another First Line Friday, the weekly linkup hosted by Reading is My Superpower. Happy Independence Day weekend to everyone celebrating in the United States! The book I’m featuring this week fits perfectly with the theme of celebrating freedom and the people who dedicate their lives to securing it for others.

Coastal Georgia

“The plane touched down on an off-the-grid military runway in southeast Georgia.”

The Record Keeper by Charles Martin

The Basics

Title: The Record Keeper

Author: Charles Martin

Series: Murphy Shepherd (Book 3 of 3)

Publication Date: July 5, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Christian

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

“Because you’re worth rescue.”

Murphy Shepherd’s last rescue mission very nearly cost him his life. He’d like nothing more than to stay close to his wife and daughters for a while. But Bones’s brother must be stopped, and there are so many who still need to know they are worth rescuing.

As the cat-and-mouse game moves into the open, Murphy is tested at every turn—both physically and mentally. Then the unthinkable happens: his beloved mentor and friend is taken. Gone without a trace.

Murphy lives by the mantra that love always shows up. But how can he rescue Bones when he has no leads?

With heart-stopping clarity, The Record Keeper explores the true cost of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one.

My Review

“From the beginning of time, light has shone into the darkness, and since that first spark, darkness – no matter how hard it tries, no matter what sword it wields or scheme it perpetrates – has not been able to overcome it. Ever.”

The Record Keeper is the riveting conclusion to an incredible series! Murphy Shepherd is back, and this time he and Bones are on a mission to finally put a stop to the criminal mastermind they have been fighting for so many years. The raw, gritty truth of human trafficking is contrasted with the unconditional love and sacrifice that marks Bones’ life. The ending is heart-wrenching and bittersweet – everything wasn’t tied up in a neat bow, but it was the perfect, fitting ending. You will remember this powerful story long 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 Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

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