Happy Friday! Today is First Line Friday, hosted by Reading is My Superpower, when readers share the first line from the closest book. Today I am featuring the newest release by a new-to-me author: As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin.

Aylesbury Prison
Buckinghamshire, England
Early March 1918

“Only by searching the bowels of hell would he find the devil.”

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

The Basics

Title: As Dawn Breaks

Author: Kate Breslin

Publication Date: November 2, 2021

Genre: WWI Historical Romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Her daring bid for freedom could be her greatest undoing.

Amid the Great War in 1918 England, munitions worker Rosalind Graham is desperate to escape the arranged marriage being forced on her by her ruthless guardian and instead follow her own course. When the Chilwell factory explodes, killing hundreds of unidentified workers, Rose realizes the world believes she perished in the disaster. Seizing the chance to escape, she risks all and assumes a new identity, taking a supervisory position in Gretna, Scotland, as Miss Tilly Lockhart.

RAF Captain Alex Baird is returning home to Gretna on a secret mission to uncover the saboteur suspected in the Chilwell explosion, as Gretna’s factory is likely next. Fearing for his family’s safety, he’s also haunted by guilt after failing to protect his brother. Alex is surprised to discover a young woman, Miss Lockhart, renting his boyhood room, but the two eventually bond over their mutual affection for his family–until Alex receives orders to surveil her.

Rose squirms beneath Alex’s scrutiny while she struggles to gain her workers’ respect. But when her deception turns to danger, she and Alex must find a way to put their painful pasts behind them and together try to safeguard the future.

My Review

This is the first of Kate Breslin’s books I have read, and I can see why she has so many fans! She has brought Scotland during World War I to life in As Dawn Breaks. Rose has a fascinating job in a munitions factory – I learned a lot about the women who worked in these factories and the risks they took every day to do this important work. Rose faces an extra layer of difficulty when she assumes a new identity in order to escape an arranged marriage. However, she has no idea that her new identity will draw scrutiny for reasons she never imagined, putting her and the family she is boarding with at risk.

This story has all the ingredients that make for great historical fiction – careful attention to detail, charming characters that bring the time period to life, a fascinating topic that brings a lesser-known part of history to light, sweet romance and friendships that provide light-hearted moments, and suspense and intrigue that keep you turning pages. I am now a fan of Ms. Breslin’s work, and I am sure historical fiction fans will enjoy this novel as well!

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 linking up with Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday and featuring The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas.

Kline, WV
Late May 1932

“Sulley tore a rag into strips and wrapped each coin before tucking it into the bib pocket of his overalls. Wouldn’t do to jingle as he made his way out of Kline after the sun went down.”

The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas

The Basics

Title: The Finder of Forgotten Things

Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas

Publication Date: December 7, 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

It’s one thing to say you can find what people need–it’s another to actually do it.

It’s 1932 and Sullivan Harris is on the run. An occasionally successful dowser, he promised the people of Kline, West Virginia, that he would find them water. But when wells turned up dry, he disappeared with their cash just a step or two ahead of Jeremiah Weber, who was elected to run him down.

Postmistress Gainey Floyd is suspicious of Sulley’s abilities when he appears in her town but reconsiders after new wells fill with sweet water. Rather, it’s Sulley who grows uneasy when his success makes folks wonder if he can find more than water–like forgotten items or missing people. He lights out to escape such expectations and runs smack into something worse.

Hundreds of men have found jobs digging the Hawks Nest Tunnel–but what they thought was a blessing is killing them. And no one seems to care. Here, Sulley finds something new–a desire to help. With it, he becomes an unexpected catalyst, bringing Jeremiah and Gainey together to find what even he has forgotten: hope.

My Review

The Finder of Forgotten Things tells the tragic story of the Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster with endearing characters and powerful spiritual truths. Like many other readers, I had never heard of this dangerous industrial project that killed hundreds of poor workers in the 1930s. While the true story of what happened is tragic, this was still a sweet, enjoyable book. The author did a wonderful job of presenting the historical facts while still sharing a message of hope, forgiveness, and redemption. I loved watching Jeremiah and Gainey’s unexpected romance unfold, and Sulley’s journey to finally finding a place to belong. This book is sure to please fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy rich, character-driven stories.

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! I’m linking up with Reading is My Superpower, where participants share the first line from the book closest to them. Today I’m featuring Dead Fall, the newest release in Nancy Mehl’s Quantico Files series.

“Those in law enforcement pay a heavy price when they constantly look into the dark minds of evil.”

– John Davis, Dark Minds

Dead Fall by Nancy Mehl

The Basics

Title: Dead Fall

Author: Nancy Mehl

Series: The Quantico Files (Book 2 of 3)

Publication Date: November 2, 2021

Genre: Christian Suspense

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

After facing the demons from her past, Alex Donovan is ready to move on and focus on her career at the FBI’s elite Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). When renowned profiler and BAU co-founder John Davis is found dead in his hotel room, the FBI is called in to work on the strangest case they’ve ever faced. How do you find a killer who murders his victims without touching them?

When it becomes clear that the killer is targeting agents in Alex’s unit, they are ordered into lockdown, sheltered in the dorms at Quantico. Alex bunks with a controversial agent, Kaely Quinn, who has returned after being dismissed three years earlier. As they work together, Alex discovers in Kaely the role model she’s never had, despite being warned away.

As Alex questions who she wants to become, things get personal when the brilliant killer strikes close to home. Now Alex will do anything to find the killer–even at the risk of her own life.

My Review

Dead Fall is the second book in Nancy Mehl’s Quantico Files series, and I enjoyed it more than the first book, Night Fall. Kaely Quinn, the main character in Mehl’s last series, makes an appearance as a serial killer seems to be targeting members of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. She is called in to assist Alex and Logan, the main characters in this series. Behavioral analysis, or profiling, is a fascinating topic, and this book provides a glimpse into how those agents do their work.

Because the analysts aren’t field agents, there isn’t as much action throughout the book. Instead, a lot of the book is made up of dialogue as the team develops their profile of the suspect. The lack of action doesn’t mean there is a lack of suspense, though – the perp in this book is definitely one of the most chilling I’ve read about in a while. I had a guess about who I thought it was, but I was wrong!

The reason I didn’t love this book, though, is the characterization. The characters seemed a little flat to me at times, and the dialogue a little stilted. Parts of the book seemed repetitive too, as the team kept rehashing their profile without really adding anything new. Overall, I did enjoy the story and I will definitely read the next one in the series!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to 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 a great day, because Heart of Stone (the final book in the True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series) is about to be released. Get ready for a fantastic conclusion to this series!

“They say that without hope, people perish.

I say hope crushes the soul.”

Heart of Stone by David James Warren

The Basics

Title: Heart of Stone

Author: David James Warren (James Rubart, Susan May Warren, and David Curtis Warren)

Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone

Publication Date: November 23, 2021

Genre: Time Travel Thriller/Suspense

My Rating: 5 Stars!!

From the Back Cover:

Rembrandt Stone has nothing left to lose…or does he?

Detective Rembrandt Stone doesn’t recognize himself in the mirror. Doesn’t recognize the world he’s returned to. Doesn’t even know his own name. But he knows one thing…living in this world is impossible.

Good thing he has an ally—an unexpected friend from the past. And together, they just might be able to unravel the entire mess. But first…Rembrandt will have to return to the past one final time and intercept himself before he makes a lethal mistake.

Time has outwitted him. It’s time for him to outwit time. Can he reconstruct a past he just destroyed or is there nothing left of his world to save?

My Review

“My life is full of true lies, that I tell just to keep up.”

What a wild, nail-biting, heart-pounding, nerve-wracking ride this series has been! Heart of Stone brings Rem’s story to a perfectly satisfying conclusion, although he definitely has to work for it. His growth and transformation culminate in this book, as he comes to grips with the past in order to create a future he can live with. This time, with help from some unexpected places, Rem doesn’t have to go it alone anymore – and he just might pull it off.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the conversational writing style – I love the way Rem’s inner narrative draws the reader into the story and helps us keep track of all of the timelines he has lived in past books. While the action and intrigue keep the story moving, some of my favorite moments are Rem and Eve’s quieter moments of reflection and conversation. Everything about this book (and the series) is incredible – with compelling characters and intricately woven storylines, it is the perfect combination of romance, action, and “I-can’t-believe-that-just-happened” moments. I was on the edge of my seat and holding my breath from beginning to end!

The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone is, without a doubt, my favorite series of 2021. Drop whatever you’re doing and read these books – you won’t regret 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 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 as part of the launch team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! Today I’m linking up with First Line Friday, hosted by Reading is My Superpower, and featuring Crosshairs – Patricia Bradley’s newest release.

“Come on! It was almost midnight, and the light in Cora Chamberlain’s bedroom blazed like a neon sign.”

Crosshairs by Patricia Bradley

The Basics

Title: Crosshairs

Author: Patricia Bradley

Publication Date: November 2, 2021

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers (Book 3)

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When evil just won’t quit, good must prevail

Investigative Services Branch ranger Ainsley Beaumont wishes the visit to her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, was under better circumstances. When she arrived to investigate the murder of a pregnant teenager, she never imagined that she would become the killer’s next target–or that she’d have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn’t bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her.

The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

My Review

Patricia Bradley brings us back to the Natchez Trace in Crosshairs, the third book of the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. While characters from the earlier books are mentioned, the storylines aren’t connected and can be read alone.

The romance in this book develops in a natural, authentic way, given Ainsley and Linc’s past. They are both likeable from the start, and the secondary characters (especially Ainsley’s grandmother and great-aunt) add depth as well as some fun moments. There are multiple threads to the suspense that keep the story moving – and kept me guessing until the end!

I have really enjoyed this series so far, and I am looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend Crosshairs and the entire series for fans of romantic suspense!

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 First Line Friday! Today I’m sharing a new book that just came out this week – The London House by Katherine Reay.

17 October 1941

“Caro hugged Martine, whispering close to her ear.”

The London House by Katherine Reay

The Basics

Title: The London House

Author: Katherine Reay

Publication Date: November 11, 2021

Genre: Historical/Split-Time

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover

Uncovering a dark family secret sends one woman through the history of Britain’s World War II spy network and glamorous 1930s Paris to save her family’s reputation.

Caroline Payne thinks it’s just another day of work until she receives a call from Mat Hammond, an old college friend and historian. But pleasantries are cut short. Mat has uncovered a scandalous secret kept buried for decades: In World War II, Caroline’s British great-aunt betrayed family and country to marry her German lover.

Determined to find answers and save her family’s reputation, Caroline flies to her family’s ancestral home in London. She and Mat discover diaries and letters that reveal her grandmother and great-aunt were known as the “Waite sisters.” Popular and witty, they came of age during the interwar years, a time of peace and luxury filled with dances, jazz clubs, and romance. The buoyant tone of the correspondence soon yields to sadder revelations as the sisters grow apart, and one leaves home for the glittering fashion scene of Paris, despite rumblings of a coming world war.

Each letter brings more questions. Was Caroline’s great-aunt actually a traitor and Nazi collaborator, or is there a more complex truth buried in the past? Together, Caroline and Mat uncover stories of spies and secrets, love and heartbreak, and the events of one fateful evening in 1941 that changed everything.

In this rich historical novel from award-winning author Katherine Reay, a young woman is tasked with writing the next chapter of her family’s story. But Caroline must choose whether to embrace a love of her own and proceed with caution if her family’s decades-old wounds are to heal without tearing them even further apart.

My Review

I have enjoyed all of Katherine Reay’s books, but I was not expecting to love The London House as much as I did! I was drawn into the characters and the story from the first page. Caroline’s discovery of her family history is a profound story of love, loyalty, betrayal, and courage. There is a suspenseful twist too, as we discover alongside Caroline the truth about the role her great aunt played during World War II. Ms. Reay’s thoughtful, insightful writing style gives her characters such depth and gives the reader insight into their hearts and the depth of the generational pain their choices caused. Rich with historical detail, intrigue, and compelling characters, this book will appeal to readers of historical fiction, especially fans of authors like Sarah Sundin and Patti Callahan.

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 am so excited to share a debut novel with you today, for First Line Friday hosted by Reading is My Superpower. As soon as I saw the cover of After She Falls by Carmen Schober I knew I had to read it, and I’m so glad I did!

“Adri doesn’t turn on the radio or pull up Eva’s playlist on her phone. For once, she drives in silence.”

After She Falls by Carmen Schober

The Basics

Title: After She Falls

Author: Carmen Schober

Publication Date: November 2, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

She’s always had that fire in her. She just needs to find it again.

Strong-willed Adri Rivera nearly achieved her goal of being a professional mixed martial artist, but then she fell in love with a man who knocked all the fight out of her. When their abusive, tumultuous relationship finally comes to a head, Adri flees with their young daughter to her small hometown in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she must face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together again.

A hardened Max Lyons can’t believe Adri is back in town after abruptly cutting him and everyone else off years ago. Despite the distance that grew between them, he feels compelled to help her regain her independence and offers her a job at his gym. But regaining each other’s trust is another matter, made even more complicated by the lingering spark between them. As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, she trains for a big tournament with Max’s help, but they’ll both have to confront their own doubts in order to rise victorious.

My Review

After She Falls is a fantastic debut novel by Carmen Schober! It is definitely not your typical sweet Christian fiction romance – not that there is anything wrong with that, but I loved the rawness and grittiness of Adri’s story. As an MMA fighter, she is a strong female protagonist in every sense of the word. After fleeing from an abusive husband, she is struggling to get back on her feet in both her professional and personal life. Throughout the book, we see her regain her strength both as a woman standing up for herself and her daughter, and as a fighter with a second chance at her dream of becoming a strawweight champion.

Adri and Max were friends in high school before she broke his heart, and they struggle to find their footing when they first reconnect. As the story progresses, their friendship – and eventually romance – develop in a beautiful, authentic way. Adri’s uncle Roman and coach Boom both provide words of wisdom and give the story richness and depth. The faith elements are authentic and completely natural to the story, tackling real life challenges with grace. Adri is a uniquely compelling heroine – her journey as a fighter is a powerful story of perseverance, discipline, determination, and courage.

I highly recommend After She Falls, and I can’t wait to read whatever Carmen Schober 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! For today’s edition of First Line Friday, hosted by Reading is my Superpower, I’m featuring a new release by one of my favorite authors. Irene Hannon is one of the most well-known names in Christian romantic suspense, and she just released the second book in her current series – Labyrinth of Lies.

“They wanted her to take on another undercover gig? No way. Not happening.”

Labyrinth of Lies by Irene Hannon

The Basics

Title: Labyrinth of Lies

Author: Irene Hannon

Series: Triple Threat (Book 2 of 3)

Publication Date: October 5, 2021

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls’ boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn’t take her long to realize that beneath its veneer of polish and wealth, Ivy Hill Academy harbors dark–and deadly–secrets. But the biggest shock of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the school.

Zeke Sloan has never forgotten Cate, but now isn’t the best time for their paths to cross again. When their two seemingly disparate agendas begin to intertwine–and startling connections emerge among the players–the danger escalates significantly.

But who is the mastermind behind the elaborate ruse? And how far will they go to protect their house of cards?

My Review

The Triple Threat series is Irene Hannon at her finest! Labyrinth of Lies follows the oldest Reilly sister, Cate, as she faces her next undercover assignment as a St. Louis County detective. The last person she expects to see is Zeke, a DEA agent and her ex-boyfriend. As her missing persons case begins to intersect with his drug investigation, their personal lives also begin to intersect again. I loved the history between them and the resolution they were able to find in this “enemies to lovers” story. The romance level was just what I expect and appreciate in an Irene Hannon novel – a realistic complement to the suspense, not sappy or overwhelming.

The main focus was definitely on the action and the increasing danger, especially for Cate. I only guessed the villain a couple of pages before he was revealed! The characters and their motivations are complex and compelling, and the suspense kept me turning pages. I can’t wait to catch up with the youngest sister, Grace, in the next book! I highly recommend Labyrinth of Lies and the Triple Threat series to fans of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy authors like Lisa Harris or Dee Henderson.

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.

Happy Friday! The book I’m featuring today might make you hungry – Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant 🙂 I’m joining Reading is My Superpower and for First Line Friday to share the first line and my review!

“If Rory Perez could find a way to wad all the cilantro in the entire world into a ball and hurl it into outer space, it still wouldn’t be far enough removed for her preference.”

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant

The Basics

Title: Tacos for Two

Author: Betsy St. Amant

Publication Date: October 12, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Food truck owner Rory Perez may not be able to cook, but she’s determined to keep the family business out of the red. An upcoming contest during a food truck festival seems like the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her solid financial footing, freeing up her time to meet the man she’s been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father’s law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. If he loses the contest, he’ll be back at the law firm for good, so failure is not an option.

But things are about to get . . . complicated. Rory’s chef gets mono, forcing her to cook after all. And Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he’s been falling for online. Will they sacrifice the futures they’ve envisioned for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

My Review

This delightful rom-com will whet the appetites of You’ve Got Mail fans and taco lovers alike! Quirky characters give this fun story plenty of laugh-out-loud moments with heart.

Rory and Jude cross paths when his company orders lunch from her food truck every week, and when they are matched on an online dating site… but they don’t realize the connection. Rory is loyal and dedicated to providing for her cousin, no matter what it takes. Jude is stuck working for his manipulative father and brother instead of pursuing his dream of cooking. Their worlds collide during the town’s food truck competition, with a lot of hopes and dreams riding on a win for each of them. Plenty of misunderstandings and hilarity ensue as they compete by day and confide in each other through the dating app by night. Nothing goes as planned when they finally decide to meet, and the final day of the competition brings more twists than they ever expected.

This flavorful rom-com, seasoned with quirky side characters and small town drama, will leave you satisfied with the story but craving tacos! Fans of Bethany Turner and Melissa Ferguson won’t want to miss 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.