Happy First Line Friday! For today’s linkup, hosted by Reading is My Superpower, I’m featuring a book I already know is going to be on my Top 10 list for 2022!

Four Years Ago…

“Ranger wasn’t here to get in trouble, but wow, she was pretty.”

Sunburst by Susan May Warren

The Basics

Title: Sunburst

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Sky King Ranch (Book 2 of 3)

Publication Date: June 7, 2022

Genre: Contemporary action/adventure romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt from terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he could never forget.

Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves taken hostage, along with several others. And while Ranger Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he’ll need Noemi’s help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.

Her solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding–which would bind Noemi to a man destined to break her heart. Worse, the trouble they’re fleeing has found them–again. It’s clear anyone around Noemi is bound to be caught in the cross fire. Including her potential new husband.

She’ll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.

My Review

What an incredible story! Susan May Warren takes us on a wild ride from Key West, to Africa, and finally back to Alaska. This book introduces us to the second Kingston brother, Ranger. His calm, collected demeanor and his warrior heart make him the perfect match for Noemi, with her vibrant, colorful personality. Their banter and chemistry leaps off the page, and you can’t help but feel their pain, doubts, and triumphs right alongside them. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, and I absolutely loved the way it played out in this book!

I would definitely recommend reading the series in order, as characters and plot lines from previous books are woven into this story. The next book can’t come soon enough! If you enjoy books full of adventure, suspense, and second chance romance, don’t miss Sunburst!

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 Friday! It’s another First Line Friday – today I am linking up with Reading is My Superpower and featuring Among the Innocent by Mary Alford.

“He drove by the house again. The second time today. All because of her.”

Among the Innocent by Mary Alford

The Basics

Title: Among the Innocent

Author: Mary Alford

Publication Date: June 7, 2022

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When Leah Miller’s entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah has left the Amish and joined the police force. Now, after an Amish woman is found murdered with the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family’s deaths.

As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they can’t help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning.

What will it mean for Leah–and Dalton–when the full truth comes to light?

My Review

What an action-packed, nail-biting take on the suspense genre! This was the first of Mary Alford’s books I have read, but it won’t be the last. I loved the unique twist of a suspense novel centered on an Amish community and a small town police department. Leah is a strong, smart heroine who has taken the tragedy of her past and used it for good, although her past comes back to haunt her in this book. Unbeknownst to her, she and Dalton are connected through that tragedy ten years ago… now that the killer is back, they are thrown together as they race to put an end to his twisted plot once and for all. Full of likable characters, a fast-paced plot, and plenty of surprises to keep you guessing, this book will delight fans of DiAnn Mills and Nancy Mehl!

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! The book I’m featuring for today’s First Line Friday linkup is the perfect summer read. Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton by Susannah B. Lewis is a delightful story full of southern charm!

“There was nothing to see but bottomland on the thirty-minute drive from Huntsville to Whitten.”

Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton by Susannah B. Lewis

The Basics

Title: Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton

Author: Susannah B. Lewis

Publication Date: May 24, 2022

Genre: Christian Contemporary Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Sometimes what your life is missing is an eccentric group of older ladies to take you under their wing . . .

When Raeley Ann Sutton’s mama passes away and leaves her the house where she grew up, Rae can’t imagine how the little old place might restore her broken life. Mourning the recent loss of her marriage, she takes the house and settles back in tiny, “one-horse Whitten” with her fourteen-year-old daughter, Molly Margaret, and their overweight dog.

There she’s embraced by her mother’s close-knit circle of friends, the Third Thursday ladies: Mrs. Fannie, Mrs. Dora, and Aunt Maxine. Though almost half their age and far less confident of positive outcomes, Rae joins their ministry-slash-book-club-slash-gossip circle and allows the women to speak wry honesty and witty humor into her tired heart. As a new career and a new romance bring their own complications, Rae relies on the unlikely family she’s found and begins to wonder if her future holds more hope than she ever could have imagined.

My Review

Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton is the perfect book to enjoy on a summer afternoon, on the front porch with a glass of sweet tea! It’s full of southern charm, humor, and heart. The delightful characters will find their way straight to your heart, from Rae and her daughter to the Third Thursday ladies who become Rae’s stand-in mother figures. They add both lighthearted and heartfelt moments, and give the story richness and depth. I loved the way Rae’s faith grew so authentically – it felt natural and not preachy or cheesy. The themes of restoration and redemption hit just the right notes! I would recommend this book to fans of authors like Lauren K. Denton, and I can’t wait to read what Ms. Lewis 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 made it through another week, and it’s time for another First Line Friday, the weekly linkup hosted by Reading is My Superpower. Today I’m sharing the first line from Written on the Wind, the second book in Elizabeth Camden’s Blackstone Legacy series.

September 1900

“Natalia Blackstone always considered the third floor of her family’s bank the most fascinating five thousand square feet in the entire United States.”

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden

The Basics

Title: Written on the Wind

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Series: The Blackstone Legacy (Book 2)

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Count Dimitri Sokolov has been charged with overseeing construction of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, but during this work, he witnesses an appalling crime, the truth of which threatens the Russian monarchy. In an effort to silence him, the czar has stripped Dimitri of his title, his lands, and his freedom . . . but Dimitri has one asset the czar knows nothing about: his deep and abiding friendship with Natalia Blackstone. 

Natalia is the lead analyst for her father’s New York banking empire and manages their investment in the Trans-Siberian Railway. Her bond with Dimitri has flourished despite the miles between them, but when Dimitri goes unexpectedly missing, she sets the wheels in motion to find him. Once they join forces, they embark on a dangerous quest in which one wrong move could destroy them both.  

From the steppes of Russia to the corridors of power in Washington, Dimitri and Natalia will fight against all odds to save the railroad while exposing the truth. Can their newfound love survive the ordeal? 

My Review

Elizabeth Camden has written another fascinating story that’s impossible to put down! Written on the Wind reunites us with characters we first met in Carved in Stone, but it can be read as a stand alone. This novel brings the story of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Boxer Rebellion to life with rich historical details, compelling characters, romance, and political intrigue. Natalia and Dimitri are opposites in so many ways, but they share a determination, strong moral character, and courage that sees them through hard times they face. While I loved the historical aspects, their witty dialogue and dry humor were some of my favorite parts of the book!

If you are looking for well-researched historical fiction with characters you won’t soon forget, you can’t go wrong with Elizabeth Camden! Written on the Wind, and the entire Blackstone Legacy series, are destined for the keeper shelf.

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’m linking up with Reading is My Superpower and sharing the first line from The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Needham, Massachusetts
Thursday, February 6

“Dawn parked in front of her childhood home in Needham but couldn’t make herself get out of the car.”

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Basics

Title: The Sweet Life

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Series: Cape Cod Creamery (Book 1)

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Dawn Dixon can’t believe she’s on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. She was supposed to be here with Kevin, the man she loves. Still, Mom was the right choice. Dawn’s heart may have been broken, but Marnie Dixon is in need of mending as well.

But Mom–being Mom–creates a mess when, on a whim, she buys a run-down ice cream shop in the town’s tightly regulated historic district with big plans to fix it up. She’s never remodeled anything. And she’s never even made ice cream!

Dawn knows she has to stay and fix this fiasco. But her mother’s money pit ice cream shop may have created a chance for a happy ending . . . one Dawn could never have expected.

My Review

The Sweet Life is a fun, lighthearted story, perfect for a spring or summer day at the beach! I love the New England setting – Suzanne Woods Fisher is great at writing about small towns full of quirky characters. I also worked at an ice cream shop as a teenager, so I enjoyed going back to that fun time in my life through this story!

Dawn and her mom, Marnie, are an unlikely mother-daughter duo – they don’t see eye to eye on much, but they both find themselves needing a fresh start in life. Opening an ice cream shop together tests their faith and their patience, as they work together to overcome opposition and heartbreak. This sweet story of starting over and second chances, sprinkled with heartwarming moments and spiritual truths, will delight readers and ice cream fans alike!

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! It’s time to share the first line of the book closest to you! Today I’m featuring When the Meadow Blooms, a new release by Ann H. Gabhart.

February 27, 1925

“‘You will never be completely well. Tuberculosis leaves its mark on your lungs.'”

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart

The Basics

Title: When the Meadow Blooms

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

If any place on God’s earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law’s Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past–the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls’ experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, past troubles become rich soil in which faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother’s widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again.

But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

My Review

Ann H. Gabhart is a new-to-me author, and this book was a wonderful introduction to her work! When the Meadow Blooms is a beautiful story of finding love and healing after tragedy and heartbreak. All of the characters, especially Calla and Sienna, will find their way into your heart from the first page. I loved how their individual stories and experiences were woven together as they became a true family and found peace in the quiet beauty of Meadowland. If you are looking for a story full of hope, restoration, and faith, look no further than this book! Fans of Susie Finkbeiner and Sarah Loudin Thomas 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! Today I’m joining the First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Reading is My Superpower, and featuring one of my favorite books so far this year!

Williamsburg, Virginia
May 5, 1774

“For as long as I could remember, my mama had told me that my life was a gift. But at the age of nineteen, I had yet to see how this life I was living – or rather, the lives I was living – could be anything other than a burden.”

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

The Basics

Title: When the Day Comes

Author: Gabrielle Meyer

Series: Timeless (Book 1)

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Genre: Historical/Time Travel

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she’s the same person at her core in both times, she’s leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives–and any hope of love–are put in jeopardy.

Libby’s life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about–women’s suffrage–is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she’s not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other–but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

My Review

When the Day Comes is an absolutely captivating story by Gabrielle Meyer! It is a unique twist on the dual timeline & historical genres, with the heroine, Libby, living in both 1774 and 1914. As she approaches her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path to live for the rest of her life. This fascinating premise is handled brilliantly, with rich historical detail and engaging characters.

Libby is such a relatable heroine, and I found myself rooting for her from the first page. She is faced with tragedy and difficult decisions in both timelines, and Ms. Meyer did a wonderful job of weaving powerful spiritual themes throughout. I enjoyed seeing history come to life through Libby’s eyes, as she lived through the beginnings of both the American Revolution and World War I. The twists and turns kept coming, leaving me holding my breath and wondering how Libby could possibly have a happy ending. I was surprised and delighted by the satisfying conclusion, and I am very much looking forward to 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 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 one of my go-to authors – All That It Takes by Nicole Deese.

“As the door to our new life swung open and my ten-year-old son rushed across the threshold to explore the second-story apartment, the you-break-it, you-buy-it policy flashed across my mind like a hazard warning.”

All That It Takes by Nicole Deese

The Basics

Title: All That It Takes

Author: Nicole Deese

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When the ever-cautious Val Locklier finally agrees to a cross-country move with her nine-year-old son to take a job with her best friend, Molly, everything she had planned for the future unravels within the first week. After pushing aside her anxieties about renting an apartment from Molly’s twin brother, whom she barely knows, she accepts an invitation for an elite filmmaker’s mentorship. Caught between her insecurities and new possibilities, she feels completely unprepared for the challenges ahead.

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from abroad to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he’s been banished to a ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he pursues a relationship with Val without stopping to consider the timing or asking God to direct his steps.

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they’ll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

My Review

All That It Takes is a charming story – the perfect blend of lighthearted moments, sweet romance, spiritual truths, and characters who tug at your heartstrings. This book picks up where All That Really Matters left off, although it can be read as a standalone. Val and Miles, who we met in the last book, are both facing major changes in the trajectory of their lives.

Val’s story is one of facing her fears and stepping outside her comfort zone. Her realization that God can use her story to change lives in dramatic ways is a powerful example of vulnerability and authentic faith. Miles faces his own crisis of faith in a way, as his plans for his life are knocked off course for reasons outside of his control. His eyes are opened to new ways of doing ministry, in a way that is moving and thought-provoking. And of course, Val’s son Tucker brings plenty of fun and laughter to the story!

While I would put this book in the contemporary romance genre, it is so much more – it is full of real, relatable characters who experience both the grit and grace of life. I highly recommend this series, especially to fans of authors like 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 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, and today I”m featuring The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart.

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1917

“He walked quickly down the narrow staircase, hand pressed against the cold wall to steady himself.”

The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart

The Basics

Title: The Master Craftsman

Author: Kelli Stuart

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Genre: Split-time historical/contemporary

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history–an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial tsar’s family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family. 

Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance–and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined.

My Review

Kelli Stuart is a new-to-me author; the beautiful cover and premise of this book drew me in. I wanted to like it, but I never felt connected with the characters in either timeline. The treasure hunt in the present day seemed a little unrealistic to me, especially towards the end. Even so, I did enjoy learning some history about the Russian Revolution and Fabergé eggs. I know that many readers loved this story, so if you enjoy treasure hunts and early 20th century history, this book might be for you!

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!