Welcome to another First Line Friday, a weekly linkup hosted by Carrie at Reading is My Superpower! Today I am featuring a perfect book for spring – the latest book in Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series, Sea Glass Cottage.

“Asking for help from a man who hated you was hard.”

Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon

The Basics

Title: Sea Glass Cottage

Author: Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbor (Book 8)

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Christi Reece is desperate. The one-time golden girl’s life has tarnished, and a cascade of setbacks has left her reeling. She needs help, and she’s certain Jack Colby is in a position to provide it.

When she shows up in Hope Harbor, however, Jack wants nothing to do with the woman who betrayed him. He’s built a new life on the Oregon coast–and there’s no room in it for Christi, even after she takes refuge in a charming but mysterious cottage nearby. Yet it soon becomes apparent his opinion of her may need revising . . . especially when he ends up needing her help.

Can these two hurting souls open their hearts to a new beginning?

My Review

Returning to Hope Harbor feels like going home! This charming seaside town is the perfect place to escape to for a few hours in one of Irene Hannon’s beautifully written stories. Sea Glass Cottage is a fairly light read, but that doesn’t mean the characters don’t deal with some tough issues and tricky situations. Christi and Jack are both dealing with pain from their pasts – including pain they caused each other. In the secondary storyline, Beth and Steve are dealing with grief and regrets after the death of their son. Both second-chance romances will touch your heart and bring a smile to your face.

Long time readers of the series will love the appearances from fan favorite characters, especially Charley the taco artist and his seagull friends, Floyd and Gladys. Hope Harbor is the perfect place to find peace and hope, for characters and readers alike. Fans of Denise Hunter and Christina Suzann Nelson will enjoy 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. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Friday! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, I’m featuring a brand new book by Jaime Jo Wright. The Souls of Lost Lake just came out this week – if you’re looking for a new book to read this weekend, this would be a great choice!

“Campfires were meant to be places of shadows.”

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

The Basics

Title: The Souls of Lost Lake

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Genre: Split-Time Suspense

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

To save the innocent, they must face an insidious evil.

Wren Blythe has long enjoyed living in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, helping her father with ministry at a youth camp. But when a little girl in the area goes missing, an all-out search ensues, reviving the decades-old campfire story of Ava Coons, the murderess who is believed to still roam the forest. Joining the search, Wren stumbles upon the Coonses’ cabin ruins and a sinister mystery she is determined to unearth.

In 1930, Ava Coons has spent the last several years carrying the mantle of mystery since the day she emerged from the woods as a thirteen-year-old girl, spattered with blood, dragging a logger’s ax. She has accepted she will never remember what happened to her family, whose bodies were never found, and that the people of Tempter’s Creek will always blame her for their violent deaths. And after a member of the town is murdered, and another goes missing, rumors spread that Ava’s secret is perhaps more malicious than previously imagined.

Two women, separated by time, must confront a wickedness that not only challenges who they are but also threatens their lives, and the lives of those they love.

My Review

I think The Souls of Lost Lake is my favorite of Jaime Jo Wright’s books (so far)! From the gorgeous cover to the captivating story inside, this book was almost impossible to put down. Spanning almost a hundred years, Ava and Wren’s stories are woven together in an unexpected but satisfying way. Ms. Wright does an amazing job of developing the characters in both timelines into relatable, engaging characters who will immediately find their way into readers’ hearts.

The suspense in both storylines kept me reading late into the night, complemented by just the right amount of creepiness as well as romance. I love a story that can keep me guessing, and all the twists and turns in this book caught me off guard! The spiritual truths about good and evil, life and death, forgiveness and redemption, give the book a richness and depth that will stick with you 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.

Happy Friday, and welcome to First Line Friday! Today I am sharing the first line of Dark Angel by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson.

“Nicholas Woland, known simply as “l’américain” to prisoners and guards alike, sat on the edge of his hard, narrow cot, hands resting idly on his knees.”

Dark Angel by Andrews & Wilson

The Basics

Title: Dark Angel

Authors: Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

Series: The Shepherds (Book 2 of 3)

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Genre: Military Thriller

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson returns to Nashville ready to begin his training with the elite warriors known as the Shepherds. He thinks he knows what to expect when he arrives on the sprawling, state-of-the-art facility but quickly realizes he’ll have to find his place as the rookie leader of a new team. Then he starts having visions of an imminent attack overseas, and with the clock ticking, Jed and his team are dispatched to neutralize the threat. All the while, Jed hears whispers of another threat . . . a name that raises unexplained fear and anger throughout the Shepherds organization.

Once a military man, Nicholas Woland betrayed the Shepherds and all they stood for when he joined their enemies. After years in prison, Woland is eager to get back in action spreading chaos and death. And he has been freed for a purpose: a sinister plot that will result in hundreds of casualties and incite worldwide religious warfare for years to come.

As Woland and the Shepherds race toward a collision, Jed must rely on his gifts, his training, and his untested team to make critical decisions on a global stage—never realizing that a secret servant of the enemy is growing closer and closer to him.

My Review

“…I can tell you that God is here, right now. He’s with us. And so are the evil forces, because Satan is just as real. There’s a war raging all around us – a war that most people can’t see. But some of us can.”

Dark Angel picks up right where Dark Intercept left off, with Jed Johnson officially part of the Shepherds organization. The action is ramped up even higher than the first book in the series when Jed and his team are thrust into an urgent mission before their training is complete. This intense thriller showcases the war between good and evil in both the natural and supernatural realms. The military action and tactics are so realistic, while the spiritual elements add depth and top-notch character development to the story. Sarah Beth, who we met in the first book, is one of my favorite characters – I love how her friendship with “Uncle Jed” plays such an important role. This book is not only an enjoyable thriller, but also a thought-provoking look at the spiritual battles raging around us. Fans of Joel C. Rosenberg and Ronie Kendig will love 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.

Welcome to another First Line Friday, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! Today I’m featuring Count the Nights by Stars, a beautiful new book by Michelle Shocklee.

May 29, 1987

“My darling,
No one could accuse Luca Moretti of being a coward.”

Count the Nights by Stars by Michelle Shocklee

The Basics

Title: Count the Nights by Stars

Author: Michelle Shocklee

Publication Date: March 22, 2022

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

1961. After a longtime resident at Nashville’s historic Maxwell House Hotel suffers a debilitating stroke, Audrey Whitfield is tasked with cleaning out the reclusive woman’s room. There, she discovers an elaborate scrapbook filled with memorabilia from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Love notes on the backs of unmailed postcards inside capture Audrey’s imagination with hints of a forbidden romance . . . and troubling revelations about the disappearance of young women at the exposition. Audrey enlists the help of a handsome hotel guest as she tracks down clues and information about the mysterious “Peaches” and her regrets over one fateful day, nearly sixty-five years earlier.

1897. Outspoken and forward-thinking Priscilla Nichols isn’t willing to settle for just any man. She’s still holding out hope for love when she meets Luca Moretti on the eve of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Charmed by the Italian immigrant’s boldness, Priscilla spends time exploring the wondrous sights of the expo with Luca―until a darkness overshadows the months-long event. Haunted by a terrible truth, Priscilla and Luca are sent down separate paths as the night’s stars fade into dawn.

My Review

“That is our mission, dear. To see people for who they are beneath the pain. Beneath the sin. To see them as God sees them: a beautiful creation, with plans and purposes only he knows.”

Count the Nights by Stars is a gripping split-time novel, bringing Nashville history to life in both the 1890s and 1960s. The iconic Maxwell House hotel plays a role in both timelines, as does the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Both Priscilla and Audrey are strong, compelling heroines – both coming to terms with their places in their families and their purpose in life. The story also shines a light on the dark subject of human trafficking in a powerful, eye-opening way. If you are looking for a poignant story that is rich with history, heartbreak, and hope, you have found it in Count the Nights by Stars.

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 First Line Friday! Today I’m featuring Bethany Turner’s new release, The Do-Over. It’s the perfect fun weekend read!

“My name is McKenna Keaton, and I am the daughter of Scott and Diane. Yes, my mother’s name is Diane Keaton.”

The Do-Over by Bethany Turner

The Basics

Title: The Do-Over

Author: Bethany Turner

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Sometimes dreams come true. Other times, the best outcome begins with an epic fail.

Career-driven McKenna Keaton has devoted her life to attaining the senior partnership at her law firm. So asking a man on a date should be nothing. But the past four days have been the worst of her life and have called everything she thought she knew about herself into question. Besides, she can’t remember her last real date—one that didn’t involve using a blind date as an opportunity to get a stranger’s perspective on effective cross-examination techniques. (It’s like sharing fondue with a jury!)

But a real date? And with shy, nerdy Henry Blumenthal—McKenna’s high school rival for valedictorian who once took three hours to beat her at chess? Scratch that. He’s Hank Blume now, the famed documentarian, Durham’s darling son, who has attained all his dreams and more. He also happens to look like he stepped out of an Eddie Bauer catalog.

Whereas McKenna is a disgraced workaholic from New York on unpaid leave, accused of a white-collar crime she would never commit, succumbing to panic attacks, watching her dreams unravel. At age thirty-eight—and destined by the family curse to die before she turns forty, it appears—it’s absolutely the wrong time to have a major crush on a man. Especially one who treasures his memories of McKenna as the girl Most Likely to Succeed.

My Review

I love a good Bethany Turner rom-com, and The Do-Over was just the fun read I needed! Her writing is the perfect blend of witty humor, clever dialogue, and charming characters. I found myself rooting for McKenna from the first page, and I love that her family is such an integral part of the story. Her relationships with her sisters add plenty of depth and heart! Henry is the perfect hero for her: a high school rival all grown up, with the ability to make her question everything she thought she knew about how her life would go. Their sweet romance, sprinkled with plenty of twists and funny moments, makes for a delightful story from beginning to end. I highly recommend The Do-Over to readers who enjoy authors like Melissa Ferguson and Jenny B. Jones!

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 First Line Friday, the linkup hosted by Reading is My Superpower! Today I’m featuring Caroline George’s new release, The Summer We Forgot.

June 13
Watercolor, Florida

“Mom keeps bins in the foyer.”

The Summer We Forgot by Caroline George

The Basics

Title: The Summer We Forgot

Author: Caroline George

Publication Date: March 8, 2022

Genre: YA Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Some memories are better left forgotten.

Darby and Morgan haven’t spoken for two years, and their friend group has splintered. But when the body of their former science teacher is found in the marsh where they attended camp that summer, they realize they have more questions than answers . . . and even fewer memories.

No one remembers—or no one is talking.

The group of reunited friends begins to suspect that a murderer is stalking the coastal highway 30A, and they must try to recover their memories as quickly as possible . . . before the history they can’t remember repeats itself.

Everyone has a secret.

As tensions rise and time runs out, Darby and Morgan begin to wonder if they can believe one another . . . or if they can even trust themselves.

My Review

“Nowadays the world tells people to live their truths, but what if we’re not what we believe? What if we’re the lies we tell ourselves?”

Caroline George has written another gripping, evocative story in The Summer We Forgot. I don’t usually read YA fiction, but her voice, style, and ability to write such layered characters has made her a must-read author for me. This murder mystery follows a group of high school seniors whose lives were all turned upside down two summers ago, but they can’t remember why. The story drew me in from the beginning, from the coastal setting on 30A to the friendships between the characters to the twisty, layered plot.

“We’re part the lies we believe about ourselves and part the truths we forget.”

This is a coming of age story that readers of any age can relate to, as we question along with the characters whether or not we will let our past mistakes define us. If you are looking for a clean, deeply moving story that blends mystery with romance and friendship, look no further than The Summer We Forgot.

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 First Line Friday! Today I’m featuring the newest book in Lynn H. Blackburn’s Defend and Protect series: Malicious Intent.

“The stack of cash on his desk was as close to genuine currency as squeeze cheese was to Brie.”

Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn

The Basics

Title: Malicious Intent
Author: Lynn H. Blackburn
Publication Date: March 1, 2022
Series: Defend and Protect (Book 2)
Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
From the Back Cover:

Her years of research and sleepless nights are about to pay off . . . if she can stay alive.

Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company’s cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been praised by government, medical, and advocacy groups, and everyone hopes the device will be a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the launch, but to what purpose–and how far will they go to get what they want? 

Meanwhile, US Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can’t believe he’s finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he’s found her again, Gil intends to mend their broken relationship. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy’s life, her life’s work, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

My Review

Another fantastic book by Lynn H. Blackburn! This is a fast-paced story that drew me in from the first page. It’s everything I’ve come to expect and love from the author – lots of action, edge-of-your-seat suspense, ensemble characters with great chemistry and camaraderie, and a sweet romance. Gil and Ivy get a second chance after fifteen years apart when she and her company are under attack. Their friendship lets the romance develop at a realistic pace, even in the middle of all the action. If you enjoy high-octane suspense with a fresh, unique plot and compelling characters, look no further – get yourself a copy of Malicious Intent!

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. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Welcome to First Line Friday! Today I’m featuring Sarah Sundin’s newest WWII novel, Until Leaves Fall in Paris. Her books are always on my list of favorites every year, and this one did not disappoint!

Paris, France
Wednesday, May 29, 1940

“As long as she kept dancing, Lucille Girard could pretend the world wasn’t falling apart.”

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

The Basics

Title: Until Leaves Fall in Paris

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: WWII Historical Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation–which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?

My Review

Sarah Sundin sets the standard for WWII fiction in my book, and Until Leaves Fall in Paris is no exception. Every time I read one of her books, I learn something new about the WWII era. It’s apparent Sundin does her research, and the historical details come to life through her characters and settings. This is a captivating story of unexpected love in the face of adversity and unexpected courage in the face of evil. The romance between Paul, a misunderstood man of principle and conviction, and Lucie, a charming heroine who discovers she is stronger than she believed, is an enchanting part of the story. The suspense and intrigue of their work with the resistance make the book almost impossible to put down!

Until Leaves Fall in Paris is Sarah Sundin at her finest – engaging characters and powerful truths woven into a story that will stick with you long after the final page. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy authors like Michelle Dobson and Amy Lynn Green, and also to readers who love finely crafted, compelling stories in any genre.

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

Happy Saturday! There have been a lot of good books released so far in 2022 – if you’re a fan of the suspense genre, you might want to add Trust Me by Kelly Irvin to your TBR pile!

The Basics

Title: Trust Me

Author: Kelly Irvin

Publication Date: February 8, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Suspense

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Her best friend is murdered the same way her brother was years ago. Is there anyone she can possibly trust?

A decade ago, Delaney Broward discovered her brother’s murdered body at the San Antonio art co-op he founded with friends. Her artist boyfriend, Hunter Nash, went to prison for the murder, despite his not-guilty plea.

This morning, Hunter walks out of prison a free man, having served his sentence.

This afternoon, Delaney finds her best friend dead, murdered in the same fashion as her brother.

Stay out of it or you’re next, the killer warns.

Hunter never stopped loving Delaney, though he can’t blame her for not forgiving her. He knows he’ll get his life back one day at a time, one step at a time. But he’s blindsided to realize he’s a murder suspect. Again.

When Hunter shows up on her doorstep asking her to help him find the real killer, Delaney’s head says to run away, yet her heart tells her there’s more to his story than what came out in the trial. An uneasy truce leads to their probe into a dark past that shatters Delaney’s image of her brother. She can’t stop and neither can Hunter—which lands them both in the crosshairs of a murderer growing more desperate by the hour.

In this gripping romantic suspense, Kelly Irvin plumbs the complexity of broken trust in the people we love—and in God—and whether either can be mended.

My Review

I have really enjoyed Kelly Irvin’s suspense novels, and the description of this one definitely sounded intriguing. The story starts off with Hunter being released from prison after serving time for a murder he didn’t commit. He sets out to prove his innocence and win the forgiveness of his ex-girlfriend Delaney. Things are complicated when another one of their friends is murdered on the same day he is released.

While I appreciated the uniqueness of the story, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I have the author’s other books. I didn’t really feel connected with the characters, and the secondary plot line of Hunter’s investigation into the original murder felt a little like filler and a distraction from the real killer rather than a valuable part of the plot. Overall, it was still an enjoyable story, and if you’re a fan of the author I think you’ll still want to give it a try.

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

Welcome to First Line Friday! This week was so busy, I’m late posting… but at least it is still Friday 🙂 Today I’m featuring Shaped by the Waves by Christina Suzann Nelson.

“The Pacific Ocean licked the heat from her feet.”

Shaped by the Waves by Christina Suzann Nelson

The Basics

Title: Shaped by the Waves

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Cassie George is barely staying above water as she works to get her doctorate and raise her daughter. But she stubbornly keeps swimming to prove a few bad decisions haven’t ruined her forever. Plus, it’s all a great excuse to stay away from the small Oregon town she fled in shame years prior. But when she receives a call that the aunt who raised her has had a major health crisis, she knows it’s time to return.

Cassie is surprised to be more welcomed by the quirky seaside community than she expected, even if there’s still tension between her and her former classmate Nora Milford. But she still can’t help feeling unsettled and is mystified by a mysterious package that appears, full of typed pages that tell the story of an anonymous woman’s life. As her curiosity sends her on a journey toward truth, Cassie will discover that who she thought she was and what she wants for her life are both about to change.

My Review

Christina Suzann Nelson is a go-to author for powerful, thought-provoking, heartwarming stories, and Shaped by the Waves is no exception! The small Oregon town is a charming setting, filled with lots of likable characters. Cassie and her daughter, Lark, are lovable right from the beginning, and their story is a powerful reminder that families are more than just people we’re related to. The mystery woven in through the anonymous story Cassie received kept me turning pages late into the night. Fans of Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series or Robin Jones Gunn’s Glennbrooke series will love this book!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to 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.