We’ve made it through another week, and that means it’s time for another First Line Friday! Today I’m featuring a book set in my home state of Maine: At Lighthouse Point by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

“It was a long way home.”

At Lighthouse Point by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Basics

Title: At Lighthouse Point

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Series: Three Sisters Island (Book 3 of 3)

Publication Date: May 4, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Blaine Grayson returns to Three Sisters Island with a grand plan–to take Camp Kicking Moose to the next level. Her dream starts to unravel when she discovers Moose Manor’s kitchen has been badly remodeled by her sister, Cam, who doesn’t know how to cook. Added to that blow is the cold shoulder given by her best friend, Artie Lotosky, now a doctor to the unbridged Maine islands.

As old wounds are opened, Blaine starts to wonder if she made a mistake by coming home. Little by little, she must let go of one dream to discover a new one, opening her heart to a purpose and a future she had never imagined. 

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the coast of Maine for a story that reminds you to release what doesn’t matter and cling to what does: faith, family, and friendships.

My Thoughts

At Lighthouse Point, the conclusion to the Three Sisters Island series, follows the Grayson family through another summer at Camp Kicking Moose on Three Sisters Island off the coast of Maine. This story focuses on the youngest sister, Blaine, and picks up two years after the last book left off. She is arriving back on the island after two years in Paris, and things have changed in her absence – including the kitchen she was hoping to remodel and turn into her own restaurant at the camp.

While I enjoyed the story overall, something I found a little lacking was the character development. Some of the reactions characters had to problems seemed a little unrealistic to me – almost a little shallow or childish. One of the characters I did enjoy, though, was Blaine’s friend from Paris, Jean Paul. His klutzy moments provided some comic relief, and he had some wise advice for every member of the family. I did also enjoy seeing Artie and Blaine reconnect and come to terms with some unresolved issues in their friendship. Overall, this book is a light summer read and a good conclusion to 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 – we made it through another week! For First Line Friday, I’m featuring Never Miss, a newly released book by debut author Melissa Koslin.

“‘Sarah Jeane Rogers,’ she muttered. ‘Elizabeth Jeane Jones.’ Which ID to use this time? ‘Eenie meenie minie moe….’ She held up the license in her right hand. ‘Sarah Jeane Rogers it is.'”

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin

The Basics

Title: Never Miss

Author: Melissa Koslin

Publication Date: May 4, 2021

Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile’s life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him–and his research that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a Mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon must scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. But their warnings fall on deaf ears, and it becomes increasingly clear that there’s no one they can trust–except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

My Thoughts

Melissa Koslin is a fresh, unique voice in Christian fiction! This story features two main characters who are anything but typical. Kadence, a former CIA sniper, and Lyndon, a medical researcher, are two no-nonsense people who are thrown together under some terrifying circumstances and who are certainly not looking for love. As they work together in a race to stop a bioweapon, their mutual trust develops into a deep friendship unlike any either of them has had before.

The action is definitely high-stakes, and the threat of both the impending Ebola attack and the threats on their lives keep the tensions high. But in the midst of the craziness, there are still some quieter moments that help the characters develop and give the reader some moments to breathe. One of the most unique characters isn’t even human – Mac, Kadence’s cat, is an incredible addition to the story as he provides both companionship and some tactical assistance! I really enjoyed this book, and I think fans of James R. Hannibal and Carrie Stuart Parks will as well. I can’t wait to read what Melissa Koslin 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 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! If you enjoy spy thrillers, you won’t want to miss this book! Today, for First Line Friday, I’m featuring James R. Hannibal’s newest release, The Paris Betrayal.

“From a rooftop perch, Ben Calix watched the courier leave the Tiber and cross the piazza.”

The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal

The Basics

Title: The Paris Betrayal

Author: James R. Hannibal

Publication Date: May 4, 2021

Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance–reserved for incompetents and traitors.

Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company’s plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him–and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.

Award-winning author James R. Hannibal ratchets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.

My Thoughts

The Paris Betrayal is an intense spy thriller with heart-stopping action from the first page – my favorite of James R. Hannibal’s books yet! I stayed up way too late to finish it, because I was so engrossed in the story I lost track of time. That doesn’t happen often! Lots of action, great dialogue, and fascinating characters all come together to make this book impossible to put down. I loved the spy notes sprinkled throughout – tips and tricks Ben had learned during his training and career. A complicated web of deception and betrayal that leaves Ben’s life hanging in the balance illustrates powerful spiritual themes of faith and God’s sovereignty. I highly recommend this book for fans of high-stakes, high-octane suspense and thrillers with just a hint of romance. I already know it will be one of my favorites this year!

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

Happy Friday! For today’s edition of First Line Friday, I’m featuring To Save a King, a gorgeous new book by Rachel Hauck, one of my all-time favorite authors. The official release date is next Wednesday, May 5th, but you can preorder the Kindle version now for $2.99! You will not regret spending some time with this fabulous story.

“Once Upon A Time…

… Prince John believed in fairy tales.”

To Save a King by Rachel Hauck

The Basics

Title: To Save a King

Author: Rachel Hauck

Series: True Blue Royal (Book 2)

Publication Date: May 5, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: After growing up in small-town Hearts Bend, Tennessee, Gemma Stone set off to Hollywood to make her mark in the world.

But her ambition turned into a journey of a “thousand” bad decisions and after twelve years of seeking fame and fortune, Gemma returns home with a limp and a dark secret.

HRH Crown Prince John has learned a royal title cannot shield him from heartbreak. As heir to the revered House of Blue and married to the love of his life, he believed his future reign would strengthen the royal dynasty of Lauchtenland. Then tragedy changed everything. Can anything save him from his grief?

With a touch of divine help, Prince John and Gemma just might find the kind of love that saves and ultimately write their very own fairy tale.

My Thoughts

To Save a King is another enchanting story by Rachel Hauck! She is the queen of writing royal stories marked by characters who grab your heart and won’t let go. John and Gemma are two wounded hearts who don’t expect to find love, but who find second chances and healing in their friendship-turned-love-story. This book doesn’t shy away from heavy issues, but instead infuses them with redemption, hope, and light. It will tug at your heartstrings and remind you of God’s goodness in a powerful way. The gospel and the transformation Jesus offers are on full display in John and Gemma’s captivating story.

I would recommend reading The Wedding Dress and To Love a Prince before reading To Save a King. If you are a longtime Rachel Hauck reader, you will also recognize characters from her Royal Wedding series and her other books set in Hearts Bend. I highly recommend all of her books, and To Save a King is definitely one I will want to read over and over again!

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, but I loved it so much I will be purchasing a copy for my keeper shelf! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Today for First Line Friday, I’m featuring a book that is perfect for spring & summer: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter. The cover definitely makes me want to take a trip to the beach!

“Eleven months had not been long enough to prepare Sophie Lawson for the sight of him.”

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

The Basics

Title: Bookshop by the Sea

Author: Denise Hunter

Publication Date: April 13, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

My Thoughts

Bookshop by the Sea is sweet second chance romance that Denise Hunter fans will love. Set in a charming coastal North Carolina town, this story reunites Aiden and Sophie after seven years apart. A hurricane coming through town forces them to confront their past, and other circumstances lead to them unexpectedly working together to get Sophie’s bookshop ready to open. They each bring their own quirks and flaws to the story, making them both likable, relatable characters. If you read Denise Hunter’s Bluebell Inn series, you will enjoy Molly and Adam’s brief appearances in this book!

While Denise Hunter is known as a Christian fiction author, the faith element in this book wasn’t very overt. It’s a sweet, clean romance that would make a great beach read, and I just might want to start my own bookshop by the sea after reading it!

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! The book I’m featuring today for First Line Friday is the perfect fictional “spring break” getaway! Blackberry Beach, the newest book in Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series, returns to the fictional coastal Oregon town.

“The mystery woman was back.”

Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon

The Basics

Title: Blackberry Beach

Author: Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbor (Book 7)

Publication Date: April 6, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

From the Back Cover: Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted–fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn’t she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she’ll be able to calm the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss–and he has no plans to change the life he’s created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. He’s had enough drama to last a lifetime. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. And as their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites you to come home to Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Thoughts

Another delightful story from the charming seaside town of Hope Harbor! While traveling may be difficult right now, you can still escape to the Oregon coast in these pages. In this book we meet Zach, who opened a coffee shop in Hope Harbor to build a slower-paced life, and Kat, an actress struggling with the direction of her career. Although Kat is reluctant to open up at first, Zach is persistent at drawing her into a friendship and into the Hope Harbor community.

In Irene Hannon’s signature style, this is a character-driven, emotionally rich story. It incorporates several themes, including forgiveness, purpose, and second chances. While it can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, returning readers will enjoy catching up with series regulars, including Charley, Reverend Baker and Father Murphy, and of course the seagull couple Floyd and Gladys!

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 hope you can enjoy some beautiful spring weather this weekend, wherever you are. Speaking of spring, the gorgeous cover of the book I’m featuring for today’s First Line Friday post is full of spring-y colors! All That Really Matters, Nicole Deese’s newest book, just released this week – you’ll want to add it to your spring TBR list!

“I used to marvel at the way my Great Mimi’s arthritic fingers would pinch her eyeliner pencil and trace a perfect stroke of midnight black along her upper lash line.”

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese

The Basics

Title: All That Really Matters

Author: Nicole Deese

Publication Date: April 6, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Molly McKenzie’s bright personality and on-trend fashion and beauty advice have made her a major social media influencer. When her manager-turned-boyfriend tells her of an upcoming audition to host a makeover show for America’s underprivileged youth, all her dreams finally seem to be coming true. There’s just one catch: she has little experience interacting with people in need.

To gain an edge on her competitors, she plans to volunteer for the summer at a transitional program for aged-out foster kids, but the program’s director, Silas Whittaker, doesn’t find her as charming as her followers do. Despite his ridiculous rules and terms, Molly dives into mentoring, surprising herself with the genuine connections and concern she quickly develops for the girls–and Silas. But just as everything seems perfectly aligned for her professional future, it starts to crumble under the pressure. And as her once-narrow focus opens to the deep needs of those she’s come to know, she must face the ones she’s neglected inside herself for so long.

My Thoughts

This is a charming story that feels fresh, relevant, and unique in the Christian fiction market! I love the way it shines a spotlight on an often-forgotten group – young adults aging out of the foster care system. Molly’s transformation from self-centered social media influencer to someone willing to sacrifice for the people she loves is compelling. Silas, although not without his own flaws, is definitely a swoon-worthy hero. He and Molly get off to a rocky start, but as their relationship develops, they inspire growth and change in each other.

The story tackles some serious topics and heart issues, but the lighthearted moments and witty banter sprinkled in provide just the right balance. The secondary characters, especially Glo and the girls Molly mentors, give such depth and richness to the story. I hope there will be another book so we can read more about Molly’s brother Miles and her best friend Val – I get the feeling there’s more to their story! I highly recommend this book, especially for fans of Rachel Hauck, Becky Wade, and Courtney Walsh.

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! Today I’m joining the First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, and featuring an incredible book – No Unturned Stone by David James Warren. This is one you will definitely want to pre-order; it’s only $4.99 right now, but the price will go up to $7.99 on when it’s released on Tuesday!

“Just try and outrun your demons, I dare you.”

No Unturned Stone by David James Warren

The Basics

Title: No Unturned Stone

Author: David James Warren

Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone (Book 2 of 6)

Publication Date: April 6, 2021

Genre: Time Travel Thriller/Suspense

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

“The One Rule Is, Don’t Mess With The Past”

But he did, and now ex-detective Rembrandt Stone is reaping the devastation of ignoring those words when he traveled back in time to solve the one case that had haunted his dreams.

Yes, he solved the crime. Yes, he saved lives. But Rembrandt returns to find the unthinkable has happened and his life has shattered.

There’s only one answer: break the rule again. Go back in time once more, fix what went wrong, save what went right, and yeah, in his spare time solve another brutal crime.

But it’s not so easy to change time, especially when time turns you into a target. And of course there’s the strong possibility if he goes again, he’ll never get back.

Get ready for your mind to be blown in Book 2 of the time-travel suspense series, The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing as DAVID JAMES WARREN.

My Thoughts

I thought the first book in this series was incredible, but the intensity was ramped up even more in No Unturned Stone! I felt like I was right there with Rem, desperately trying to figure out what went wrong and how to get his life back. The cold case Rem gets a second chance at solving would make a great story all on its own, but throw in the intrigue of time travel and this book is impossible to put down!

This installment of the story sheds a little more light on how the time travel works, and Rem gains some insight from an unexpected source. His love for Eve tugs on the heartstrings and helps the reader understand why he makes the choices he does, in both the past and the present. The many twists and turns of this story lead to a totally unexpected and unpredictable ending! Only two books into the series, I can already tell that the way the authors are weaving this story together is absolutely brilliant. I am holding my breath waiting for the next 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 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! For today’s edition of First Line Friday, I’m featuring an upcoming release by Nancy Mehl. Night Fall, the first book in The Quanitco Files series, is coming out next week!

“His mother sat in the chair next to his bed, reading from The Book.”

Night Fall by Nancy Mehl

The Basics

Title: Night Fall

Author: Nancy Mehl

Series: The Quantico Files #1

Publication Date: March 30, 2021

Genre: Christian Suspense

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

“For any little boy or girl who hears the Train Man speak,
Who feels his rancid breath caress their pretty cheek,
Must close their eyes, pretend to sleep, and very softly pray,
Or else the evil Train Man may carry them away.”

Finally free of her troubled upbringing, Alex Donovan is able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of the FBI’s elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, authorities in Missouri contact them about bodies found on freight trains–all killed in the same way.

Alex never expected to be forced to confront her past in this new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars. When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she’d left behind forever.

In a race against time to solve the case and recover a deadly virus sample the killer intends to spread, Alex must face how far she’ll go–and what she’s willing to risk–to put a stop to the Train Man.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed Nancy Mehl’s Kaely Quinn series, but this Night Fall fell a little flat for me. The identity of the killer was revealed at the beginning, and that contributed to my feeling that the story could have been wrapped up sooner. The cult he was part of seemed a little unrealistic to me; it felt disjointed and contrived at times.

The story’s redeeming factor was the juxtaposition between Alex and the killer. They had some similarities in their upbringings, but they chose completely different paths. The spiritual elements emphasizing the choices we make that lead to either good or evil, light or darkness, were compelling – that is something Nancy Mehl does well. Although this wasn’t my favorite of her books, it was a good introduction to Alex and Logan. I will still read the next book in the series to see where their story goes!

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, and happy first day of spring tomorrow! It’s time to link up with Hoarding Books for another First Line Friday. Today I’m featuring a new release by one of my favorite suspense authors, Lynn H. Blackburn! Unknown Threat is the first book in her new series featuring US Secret Service agents. If you’re a suspense fan, you won’t want to miss this one!

“Luke Powell’s head throbbed as he parked his sedan in the empty lot and glared into the nearby trees.”

Unknown Threat by Lynn H. Blackburn

The Basics

Title: Unknown Threat

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Series: Defend and Protect (Book 1)

Release Date: March 2, 2021

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive. Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks. Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He and his team are experts at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.

FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her ability to solve every case she’s assigned. She’s been put in charge of the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke’s life in danger, the stakes have never been higher. But it’s hard to know how to fight back when you don’t know who the enemy is.

Luke has teamed up with Faith before, but he’s not convinced she’s up for the job and she’s not convinced he’s telling her everything he knows. As more agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to learn to trust each other and work together to bring a killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining their fallen brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.

My Thoughts

Lynn H. Blackburn’s new series is off to a great start with Unknown Threat! I loved the variety of law enforcement characters, from the Secret Service to the FBI. Readers of Lynn’s last series will also enjoy the cameo appearances by members of the Carrington dive team! The camaraderie of the team of Secret Service agents and the way they welcomed Faith into their group added richness to the story. I enjoyed how they worked the case together and the witty banter throughout. Some of my favorite moments were the fun interactions between Luke and Faith’s sister, Hope!

Of course, the story is also full of plenty of action! With the attacks on Secret Service agents escalating, Luke and Faith encounter danger around every corner as the perpetrator always seems to be one step ahead of them. I have to admit I was totally surprised when the attackers and their motivations were revealed; they definitely weren’t the villains I was expecting! I really enjoyed this book and will be eagerly awaiting the rest of the series.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. 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 Revell and was not required to write a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.