Audible Book Review: The Fifth Victim, The Cherokee Pointe Series, Book 1, by Beverly Barton

I liked the occult element and the suspense (but not the amount of sex).

The Fifth Victim
The Cherokee Pointe Series, Book 1
By: Beverly Barton
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 09-25-18
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Some things shouldn't be seen....
Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee. Deep in the Smoky Mountains, the victim lies, sacrificed on a makeshift altar - the gruesome work of a killer who has evaded the authorities in state after state. FBI agent Dallas Sloan knows the scene all too well - just as he knows the killings won't stop until there are four more bodies.
Some warnings won't be heeded....
Genny Madoc's "sixth sense" has brought many of Cherokee Pointe's residents to her isolated log cabin, looking for help. But now it's Genny who needs help from the disturbing visions she sees - images that are getting stronger and more violent day by day.
Some fears can't be stopped....
Thrown together by necessity, drawn to each other by desire, Dallas and Genny must band together, searching the darkest heart of a town's hidden secrets before a twisted killer can complete a sinister plan that will make one of them the fifth victim.
©2018 Beverly Barton (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
FBI agent Dallas Sloan is on the tail of a gruesome killer who kills in groups of five. Sloan knows because one of the groups included his young niece. The FBI could not find a connection, but Sloan is sure there is one. Sloan is not assigned to the case but will take every free time to investigate leads. This time the lead takes him to Cherokee Pointe, in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Genny Madox is an unusual and isolated young woman living in a cabin in the woods above the town. Genny provides herb remedies, learned from her grandmother, and occasional readings to members of the community. There are some who call Genny a witch, but those closest to her know she has a sixth sense and sees visions of events she doesn’t necessarily want to see. Now she has seen the brutal, sacrificial killing of a young girl and called her cousin the local Sheriff, telling him where to find the victim.

By the time Sloan arrives in town, they are locating the next victim. Sloan doesn’t believe in psychics, but he is drawn to Genny and soon finds himself trying to protect her from her own nightmares. As their relationship heats up, he finds himself protecting her when they realize she may be a target of the killer.

I liked the characters, the psychic element, and enjoyed the mystery. Unfortunately for me, the sexual content (some describe as ‘soft porn’) detracted from the rest of the story. I had a vague recollection from a prior Barton novel that I didn’t care for the level of sex and now that I have confirmed this I am less likely to read/listen to any more by this author even though I have two more in the series. That’s just my tastes. I would recommend this to fans of romantic suspense who don’t mind the graphic sexual element.

Audio Notes: Marguerite Gavin is a skilled narrator who I have enjoyed in several other series. She does provide distinct voices although I am not sure she was the best narrator for this book. I was startled by the reading of chapter numbers in a breathy voice that didn’t fit. This unexpected narrative feature did disrupt the flow of the story. Still, I am generally glad to listen to stories as they move faster for me.

Source: 6/10/2021 Free from Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Number goals.

Audio Book Review: Hide and Seek by Mary Burton

This reminded me why I like this author. It is a good thriller with romance.
Hide and Seek
By Mary Burton
Narrated By: Christina Traister

Duration: 9 h 57 min
Release date: 04-23-19
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
She’s hunting. He’s watching.
Special Agent Macy Crow is a survivor. After a vicious hit-and-run nearly kills her, she gets right back to work, and now she’s gunning for a spot on the FBI’s elite profiling team. As an audition, she offers to investigate the recently discovered bones of Tobi Turner, a high school girl who disappeared fifteen years ago.
While investigating with local sheriff Mike Nevada, a former colleague and onetime lover, Macy discovers a link between Tobi’s case and several others that occurred around the same time as her disappearance. As Macy interviews victims and examines old cases, she uncovers a sinister picture of a stalker who graduated to sexual assault—and then murder.
Macy and Nevada race to put this monster behind bars before he can come out of hiding. But the murderer’s had years to hone his skills, and soon Macy herself becomes a target. She’s no stranger to pain and terror, but will Macy’s first profiling case be her last?

Review:
Special Agent Macy is still recovering from a hit and run but she is persistent that she wants to get back to work at the FBI. She hops to get a spot on the FBI’s elite profiling team. She is approved to investigate a recently discovered body of a teenage girl who disappeared fifteen years ago. Macy will be investigating with local sheriff, Mike Nevada, with whom she has a short history.

Very quickly Macy connects the death of the teen with other cases of death and rape that occurred in the same time period. Macy is building a profile that discovers that the perpetrator may still be attacking and killing young women of the same type. As Macy and Nevada push to interview those close to the disappearances fifteen years earlier, they are clearly stirring up facts some community members don’t want stirred.

Then the killer strikes the investigation team and it is clear that Macy is his next target. Will the team be able to uncover the criminal before he adds more trophies to his collection?

I enjoyed the suspense and profiling aspects of this story. The author created a mystery with good suspects and peripheral accomplices. Meanwhile, the relationship between Macy and Nevada is developed nicely. This story felt like it might be part of a series, and I searched to find it is Criminal Profiler #4. I am glad that I revisited this author after many years and I will be glad to pick up more of her titles. I recommend this author and book to fans of police procedural and romantic suspense.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Christina Traister. She provided distinct voices and energy that fit the story. I had some concern that parts of the audio seemed to get louder at times, but I would put that on production, rather than the narrator. I still enjoyed the audio and would listen to more stories narrated by Ms. Traister.

Source: 9/22/19 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Mysterious Abduction by Rita Herron

This is a quick, easy listening Romantic Suspense.
Mysterious Abduction
Written by Rita Herron
Narrated by Steve Campbell

Run Time 6h 20min
Release Date: March 1, 2020
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
She’ll never give up on finding her baby.
And neither will the sheriff of Whistler.
For five years, Cora Reeves has searched for her baby, who went missing in a fire—a baby she swears is still out there. When the private investigator sniffing out clues ends up dead, Sheriff Jacob Maverick’s on the cold case. As old evidence takes on new meaning, Jacob is desperate to ensure Cora’s safety. Especially once he realizes how far someone is willing to go to keep her from learning the truth behind what really happened that fateful day…

Review:
Cora’s new born daughter was taken when a fire broke out in the hospital the night of the infant’s birth. Eventually her obsession with trying to find the child, resulted in a divorce by her husband. It has been five years and Cora still studies the faces of young girls so much so that she has just been fired from her position as a teacher after another mother complains. But suddenly the private detective who has been working with her sends a text saying he is stopping the search. She drives to his office only to find it in flames.

The local Sheriff, Jacob, lost his father to the hospital fire five years before so he has always been concerned for Cora. There were no new leads to find her baby or the hospital arsonist until now that the investigator has been murdered.

Events begin to heat up as Cora pushes for clues. When it appears that her life is now in danger, Jacob steps in to keep her safe. Jacob tries to maintain his professional position but soon he is unable to resist holding Cora – to give comfort and maybe share more.

I liked the mystery and clean nature of this quick story. Cora is an interesting combination of fragile and determination. I liked Jacob’s strong, supportive character. There were several suspects that began to be revealed and I did figure out the culprit fairly quickly, although not quite the extreme nature of the motives. I recommend this to readers looking for a quick romantic suspense.

Audio Notes: Steve Campbell does a fine job with the narration. He carried the voices and emotions well. His narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/31/2020 Chirp $3.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Hour of Need by Melinda Leigh

This is an easy listen mystery with romance.

Hour of Need
Scarlet Falls, Book 1
By: Melinda Leigh
Narrated by: Cris Dukehart

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 12-09-14
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A 2015 Daphne du Maurier Award finalist from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.
While fighting in Afghanistan, Major Grant Barrett receives devastating news: his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered in Scarlet Falls, the sleepy suburb of Grant’s youth. Emotionally scarred from war, the career soldier returns home on emergency leave to temporarily care for his orphaned nephew and niece. But when someone tries to kidnap the kids and their teenage babysitter, Grant knows it’s not a random act…and neither were the murders.
Already devastated by her neighbors’ violent deaths, Ellie Ross is shattered by the attempted abduction of her teenage daughter so she desperately turns to Grant for help. As they navigate a deadly search for the truth, they struggle with growing feelings for each other and Grant’s impending return to Afghanistan.
But time is running out. The killer is growing bolder by the hour, and Ellie and Grant must find him before the children become his next victims.
Bestselling author Melinda Leigh delivers another gritty mystery simmering with spine-tingling passion in this first Scarlet Falls novel.
©2014 Melinda Leigh (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Review:
Major Grant Barrett is given emergency leave to return home after his brother, Lee, and sister-in-law, Kate, are murdered in the streets of Scarlet Falls. Grant needs to take charge of his orphaned six-year-old nephew, Carson, and 4-months-old, colicky niece, Faith. He is relieved to have the help from his neighbors, Ellie Ross, her mother and her teenage daughter, Julia.

Ellie is a legal assistant who worked for Lee and she is aware that Lee had taken on a controversial civil case. The case was the result of a suicide of a high school student involved in an ice-skating club who was allegedly being mercilessly bullied by two other girls on the skate team. The managing partner at the firm directs Ellie to find the case file, and any others that Lee had at home, and bring them back to the office. Before Ellie gets a chance to try to gather the office files, she is accosted by a man with a gun who threatens to kill her mother and daughter if Ellie doesn’t deliver the civil case file to the blackmailer. Ellie would like to trust Grant with her secret but she is too afraid to risk her family.

Grant and his high finance lawyer sister, Hannah, are staying at Lee’s home with the children, while a third brother/Uncle Mac, floats in and out to help. The group is not aware that the house is under surveillance until Grant comes home to find the house ransacked. A few days later a man tries to kidnap Carson while Julia is with the children at the park. Now Grant is determined to uncover Ellie’s secrets and to track down his brother’s murderer.

Grant and Ellie are drawn to each other but are reluctant to indulge their attraction since he is a career military man expected to return to Afghanistan within a month. She has experienced abandonment in her youth and doesn’t want to put herself or her daughter through that loss. Still, Grant and Ellie find themselves seeking comfort as they try to keep their families alive and safe.

This is what I consider an easy romantic suspense. I was glad to listen to this as a change to the sci fi genre which I have been into. The story is not heavy on action although Grant does get a chance to show off some of his soldiering skills. The bullying issue is sad, and the crime has some good twists. I enjoyed the mix of family, mystery, and not too heavy romance. I would read more by Ms. Leigh and I recommend this to fans of mystery romance.

Audio Notes: I think this is my first experience with Cris Dukehart as a narrator although she appears to be a prolific narrator. I enjoyed her clear, skilled presentation. She provides distinct voices and inflection fitting the scenes. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sale $5.24. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Night Stalker by Shirlee McCoy

This is a suspenseful thriller with a second chance romance.
Night Stalker
Faith in the Face of Crime (FBI: Special Crimes Unit Book 1)
by Shirlee McCoy
Read by Emily Durante

Run Time 5h 37min
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Night Stalker
Faith in the Face of Crime (FBI: Special Crimes Unit Book 1) by Shirlee McCoy
Read by Emily Durante
Run Time 5h 37min
After Special Agent Adam Whitfield’s ex-wife is nearly killed when she stops an abduction, the serial killer that Adam’s been hunting turns his focus on Charlotte Murray for getting in his way. Now, as the Night Stalker closes in, Adam has two missions: bring the murderer to justice and save Charlotte—because failure isn’t an option.

Review:
Charlotte and Adam separated after tragedy struck their family and grief overwhelmed their relationship. Charlotte lives quietly in their little lakeside home that is set away from the busier community. She has adjusted her life and has tried, not fully successfully, to convince herself that she has accepted her circumstance. One night her dog growls and she steps outside to investigate. She prevents an abduction but gets injured in the process. She wakes up in the hospital to find her ex-husband, Adam, hovering.

Since Adam left Whisper Lake, he has been involved with a special FBI unit pursuing a serial killer known as the Night Stalker. He was headed to investigate the abduction which fit the profile and MO of the Stalker, but he was told he couldn’t be part of the team as his ex-wife was involved. That only strengthened his reason to go even if he had to go on personal time.

Charlotte and Adam struggle with their painful past and their apparent incomplete relationship. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s elderly neighbor is barely saved from an attack and it is clear that the Stalker is now stalking Charlotte as a loose end witness. Can Adam capture the killer, keep Charlotte safe, and maybe win her back too?

The plot isn’t totally smooth as I had to wonder why the long illusive Stalker is suddenly making mistakes. It was easy to root for Charlotte and Adam even though there is emotional self-think which isn’t always my favorite to read. I was glad that the story moved along at a quick pace. I also like that the author includes a picture of underlying faith. The author shows that people of faith are not exempt from sorrow and struggle, but she also shows that God is faithful to guide the believer who seeks Him. I enjoyed this quick romantic suspense and recommend it to readers who enjoy the genre with a faith foundation.

Audio Notes: Emily Durante does a very nice job with the narration. The narration is clear and conveys the energy and emotions of the characters. I enjoyed the audio experience.

Source: 12/6/2020 Chirp purchase $3.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Uninvited by Heather Graham

I enjoyed the ghostly elements in this romantic suspense.

The Uninvited: Book 8 in Krewe of Hunters series
by Heather Graham

Publication date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Ghosts, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

1777: In the throes of the Revolutionary War, Landon Mansion is commandeered by British Lord "Butcher" Bedford. He stabs Lucy Tarleton—who spurned his king and his love—leaving her to die in her father's arms.
NOW: After the day's final tour, docent Allison Leigh makes her rounds while locking up…and finds a colleague slumped over Bedford's desk, impaled on his own replica bayonet.
Resident ghosts may be the stock-in-trade of stately Philadelphia homes, but Allison—a noted historian—is indignant at the prospect of "ghost hunters" investigating this apparent murder.
Agent Tyler Montague knows his hauntings and his history. But while Allison is skeptical of the newcomer, a second mysterious murder occurs. Has "Butcher" Bedford resurfaced? Or is there another malevolent force at work in Landon Mansion? Wary, yet deeply attracted, Allison has to trust in Tyler and work with him to discover just what uninvited guest—dead or alive—has taken over the house.
Or their lives could become history!

Review:
Allison is a local history professor and a docent at an historic mansion, the Tarleton-Dandridge House in Philadelphia. The house served as a British base in 1777 when British Lord “Butcher” Bedford married, and reportedly murdered, Lucy Tarleton. The Tarleton family were supposedly supportive of the British, but Lucy secretly worked to take information to Washington’s troops. The house has had a history of strange deaths over many years.

At the end of a tour, Allison discovers one of her young colleague’s dead in the study. It appears to be a bizarre suicide but at least one member of the board doesn’t believe this. He calls in a very special FBI “Krewe”, a team that studies paranormal events.

Agent Tyler doesn’t make a good first impression on Allison. That could be because she has been grilled for hours by the police, but more importantly she isn’t thrilled to have ‘ghost hunters’ traipsing through the carefully preserved house. Allison reluctantly works to guide Tyler in investigating the house where they find a ransacked attic. Allison continues to resist the paranormal elements until events force her to see otherwise. Tyler tries to explain to Allison that there may be paranormal forces involved but it is likely that the rummaging and murder were done by living humans.

A second person associated with the house dies in another bizarre ‘accident’. When it looks like Allison may be the next target, she finds herself sticking more closely with Tyler and their closeness turns to personal interest. Can Tyler and his team keep Allison safe while racing to find the true killer?

I liked Allison’s strong character and really enjoyed the quiet, determined personality of Tyler. His teammates are interesting and apparently the subject of other books in this series, which I would be interested in reading. The mystery is full of twists and a handful of suspects with red herring clues that kept me wondering until near the villain reveal.

I haven’t read Heather Graham for a number of years and I was pleased to enjoy this romantic suspense/paranormal romance where the mystery was primary and the romance a secondary element that added to the overall story. I recommend this to fans of paranormal mystery with romance.

Source: 2012 Netgalley. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020NetGalley goals.

Audio Book Review: Termination Dust by Alana Terry

This is a nice Christian romantic suspense.
Termination Dust: An Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Novel
Written by Alana Terry
Narrated by Becky Doughty

Release Date: May 23, 2019
Publisher: Firstfruits Publishing
Run time: 5 hours and 33 minutes
Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

How far would you go to protect the ones you love? After her mother’s death, Kimmie flees with her autistic brother to escape their violent stepfather. With nowhere to go, and nothing but faith in God to keep her going, Kimmie braves the icy Alaskan wilderness in this riveting listen.

Review:
Kimmie tried to convince her mother to leave her abusive husband. When her mother is found dead, presumably of suicide, Kimmie takes on the task of protecting her autistic brother. It isn’t easy to find the courage or means to break away but she is encouraged by contact from her older sister. Kimmie also gets sympathy from the young trooper, Taylor, who seems to be ready to give her support.

More secrets are revealed and her mother’s death begins to look like murder. Even though Kimmie wants to escape, it isn’t clear that she will be safe. She appreciates her sister’s help but isn’t willing to depend on her alone. Fortunately, Kimmie has a strong sense of faith to help her depend on God who can truly help.

This is the second book in the series I have read. The writing is light, easy, and quick reading/ listening. I find the female character a little less confident than I would like but it is probably all too fitting for the abusive home situation. There are danger and suspense in the story which moves along quickly. The romance is warm, sweet, and slow-building. The faith elements are provided through the character's life and do not come off as preachy. I recommend this series to fans of light Christian romantic suspense.

Audio Notes: Again, Becky Doughty does a nice job with the narration. It is clear and flows well even if it is not ‘full-bodied’ (i.e. full of distinct character voices). I liked being able to enjoy this quick listen.

First book: Identity Theft

Source: 12/7/2019 Chirp $.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey

This combines good mysteries and nice romance.
The Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians Book #2)
by Dani Pettrey

File Size: 9336 KB
Print Length: 371 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764230859
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (June 30, 2020)
ASIN: B0821Q13JH
Genre: Christian Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.

Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems like it'll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they're cut off from any rescue--and right where the killer wants them. It's a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.

Review:
I like this author for romantic suspense with faith elements. This story provides two lines of mystery and dangers, one very nice ‘reunion’ style romance and two other romantic pairings.

Rissi and Mason were together as teens in foster care. They are both delighted to find each other and get to work as a Coast Guard investigative team. Just as they begin the investigation of a death on an oil rig, they find they must survive another ‘accident’. As they interview the witnesses and chase down leads with the help of their team, they share what happened during their years apart. Before they can finish following the clues another death occurs and they get stuck on the rig due to an oncoming storm. They need to salvage evidence while a killer tries to destroy it.

Meanwhile, the head of the Coast Guard team, Noah, is recruited by his sister to watch over her friend, Brooke, a Coast Guard Medic. Someone has broken into Brooke’s home, leaving behind a threatening message. Noah has sworn off women and is focused on his career. But he quickly begins to feel a strong protective bent towards Brooke and is more than ready to face off with her ex-boyfriend if he is the jerk terrorizing Brooke. Brooke isn’t too quick to trust after her break-up but she finds security whenever Noah is around.

On the romance end (and future books perhaps) another couple on Noah’s team are bantering and maybe a future match, as well as a team member who had fallen for Rissi but knows he has lost out to Mason.

The faith elements are woven in nicely. Not all the characters are believers so I imagine the author would develop that in future books/relationships. There was a good mix of danger, mystery, and romance. I would be interested in reading more in the series and I recommend this story and this author to fans of clean romantic suspense.

Source: 2020 NetGalley book for July Partners in Crime Tour: My posting date 7/8. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley goal.

The Crushing Depths

by Dani Pettrey

on Tour July 1-31, 2020

Book Details:

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Published by: Bethany House
Publication Date: June 30th 2020
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 0764230859 (ISBN13: 9780764230851)
Series: Coastal Guardians #2
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Goodreads

Author Bio:

Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance.
Her novels stand out for their "wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters" (Publishers Weekly), "gripping storyline[s]," (RT Book Reviews), and "sizzling undercurrent of romance" (USA Today).
Her Alaskan Courage series and Chesapeake Valor series have received praise from readers and critics alike and have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, Publisher’s Weekly, and Amazon #1 bestseller lists. Dani has also been honored with multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Christy Award finalist, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing's Best Award.

Catch Up With Dani Pettrey:

DaniPettrey.com, Goodreads, BookBub, Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook!

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

Late September
Thirty-eight miles off North Carolina’s coast
Greg Barnes clinked along the grated metal steps, his boot heels rasping with each shuffle as he headed topside for a much-needed breath of smoke.
Thrusting the door open with a resounding creak, he stepped out into the night air.
A litany of protestors’ chants mimicked the shrill whining of cicadas.
He glanced at his watch. 1930. Didn’t those eco-nuts ever give it a rest?
As if the cursed rig wasn’t enough—they had the dang relentless protestors going practically day and night.
Exhaling, he rubbed his thumb along the smooth surface of the tarnished gold lighter in his pocket. His tight muscles seized, making his movements stiff. He shook his head. Those people needed to get a life.
Edging around the far corner of the main separator facility, he pressed his back against the structure’s cool outer wall. Generators whirred across from him, finally drowning out the clatter. He scanned his surroundings and exhaled in relief. Finally, alone.
His leg twitched. Just one drag . . . maybe two. It’d been an awful day, and that was the gentleman’s way of putting it.
With unsteady hands, he pulled the plastic-wrapped pack from his shirt pocket.
It crinkled beneath his hold and the sweet scent of tobacco wafted beneath his nose. He tamped the cigarette in his palm and slid it between his cracked lips. Just one drag.
Tugging the lighter from his pocket, he flipped it open, then rolled the pad of his thumb across the ignitor.
A spark flashed and fire roared, hissing over him in a sizzling cascade of torment.

Chapter Two

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Rissi Dawson sat at the long table on Dockside’s waterfront deck, gaping at Mason Rogers. He turned to look at her, his green eyes illuminated in the bright pole lights lining the wooden structural beams. She averted her eyes as heat rushed up her throat, spreading across her cheeks. He’d caught her staring again. Embarrassment drenched her. It’d been three days since his arrival, and she still couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact he was actually sitting next to her.
The boy she’d had the biggest crush on as a teen was back in her life. And on her Coast Guard Investigative Service team.
He handed her the basket of hush puppies the restaurant served instead of bread to start everyone off. His hand brushed hers with the movement, and her heart fluttered. “Thanks,” she said, keeping her gaze fixed on the red basket as she pulled two balls of fried cornmeal from it. She plopped the still-warm puppies onto the round plate to the right of her Coke. Get it together, girl!
The whir of a boat’s motor dropping to an idle sounded over the deck’s edge. A teen jumped out of the white outboard and onto the pier, tying her up to the cleat. Rissi loved living in a place with a boat drive-thru.
Noah raised his glass of iced tea. “Everyone . . .” The team lifted their glasses in response to their boss’s prompting.
Noah dipped his chin. “Welcome, Mason. Happy to have you on board.”
The team clinked their glasses together, even Caleb who sat brooding to her left. Observant as he was, there was no chance he missed the way she looked at Mason. In recent months, he’d developed feelings for her, so it wasn’t surprising he’d bristled at Mason’s arrival—especially after learning she and Mason shared a past, though he didn’t know the half of it. Only that they spent time in a children’s home together for a handful of months as teens.
The opening riff of “Sweet Home Alabama” emanated from Noah’s jean pocket. He hitched up as he extracted his phone. “Rowley,” he answered. “Yes?” Standing, he headed down the ramp toward the restaurant’s pier.
“Rockfish tacos,” the waitress said, placing the plate in front of Rissi. The sweet, tropical scent of the mango slaw swirled in the air.
The waitress handed out plate after plate to each of them, setting Noah’s burger at his spot while he continued to pace the pier.
Caleb bit into his Carolina BBQ pork sandwich, the scent of vinegar wafting in the night’s gentle breeze.
Finn Walker did the same with his crab cake sandwich. He and Noah, who was from Maryland, had argued for months over which state had the best crab cake. Finn had been convinced it was North Carolina, right up until Noah had crab cakes flown in fresh from Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Baltimore. It took two bites for Finn to concede the win.
“Sorry about that, folks,” Noah said, retaking his seat.
“Everything okay?” Emmy Thorton asked. Rissi looked forward to seeing the quirky angel every day at the station.
“Rissi, Mason.” Noah lifted his chin in their direction. “I’ve got an assignment for you.”
Her and Mason? They’d worked a case his first day on the team, but Finn had joined them for most of the investigation. This would be the two of them . . . alone. A mixture of elation and fear sifted through her.
“Great.” Mason set down his lemonade.
“We’ve got a death out on the Dauntless.”
“The offshore oil platform?” Mason asked, swiping a drop of lemonade from his bottom lip.
Stop staring, girl. So he’s jaw-dropping gorgeous. So you share a past. Still, staring is plain rude. Despite not having a mother to teach her, Rissi knew or, at least had come to learn, her manners.
Noah laid his napkin across his lap. “You two need to determine if the death was an accident or if foul play was involved. Helo is leaving from Textra Oil’s copter hub in forty-five. I need you both on it.”
Mason pushed back from the table. “No problem.”
“Great,” Noah said. “You’ll be joining the head of operations, a commercial diver, and the deceased’s replacement on the company copter.”
Rissi took one last bite of her taco before setting it down. She dabbed the corner of her lips with a napkin. “They aren’t wasting any time in replacing the deceased.”
“The deceased’s name is Greg Barnes. I talked to the head of operations, Bob Stanton, and he said they needed to replace him ASAP.”
“Must be an important position.” She reached for her glass and took a final sip.
“You’d think,” Noah said. “But Bob said the main reason they need to replace him fast is they’ve been working with a skeleton crew.”
Mason’s brows pinched as he stood. “Why?”
“Several guys didn’t show up for their three-week rotation transport out,” Noah said, popping a fry in his mouth.
“I know why they didn’t show up for that copter ride out there.” Tom Murphy leaned toward them from his table situated to their right.
“Why?” Mason asked, moving around to the back of Rissi’s chair. He held it out for her as she stood.
She glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. “Thanks.”
He nodded.
Tom, one of Wrightsville’s most colorful fishermen, crooked his index finger, drawing them in. “That rig’s cursed.”
“Cursed?” Caleb chuckled. “You can’t be serious?”
Tom waggled his finger. “It’s no laughing matter, young man.”
“I’m sure it’s a good story, Tom,” Rissi said. No reason not to be polite. “But I’m afraid we’ve got to catch a copter ride.”
Tom shrugged and turned back to his food. “It’s your lives at stake.”
“What do you mean?” she asked before they passed his table, unable to stem her curiosity.
“You’ll see.” He smiled, his right incisor missing. “Henry’s curse is real.”
“Henry?” Why was she letting herself get sucked into this?
Tom let out a high-pitched chuckle. “Oh, you’ll learn all about Henry.”
“Shall we?” Mason said, gesturing to the wooden ramp leading down to the gravel parking lot.
Excusing themselves, they moved down the ramp. Mason leaned in. He smelled of the ocean and warm spice. He whispered, “Did that guy seriously just cackle?”
She nodded, strangely curious about the old man’s ghost story.
“I thought people only did that on Scooby-Doo.”
She let out a slip of laughter.
“I wouldn’t be laughing,” Tom called after them as they rounded the ramp on his side of the deck. “You two be careful out there, you hear? It’s a dangerous place to be. Just ask the men on board.”
***
Excerpt from The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey. Copyright 2020 by Dani Pettrey. Reproduced with permission from Dani Pettrey. All rights reserved.

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#NetGalley Book Review: Nothing to Fear by Juno Rushdan

I liked the suspense and the unique characters in this romance.
Nothing to Fear
by Juno Rushdan

File Size: 1960 KB
Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 27, 2019)
ASIN: B07NRSHHWF
Genre: Action Adventure, Romantic Suspense, Terrorism Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

The clock is ticking.
Fearsome Gray Box operative Gideon Stone is devoted to his work and his team. He's never given reason to doubt his loyalty...until he's tasked with investigating Willow Harper, a beguiling cryptologist suspected of selling deadly bio-agents on the black market.
He knows she's innocent. He knows she's being framed. And he knows that without him, Willow will be dead before sunrise.
Thrust into the crossfire of an insidious international conspiracy, Gideon will do anything to keep Willow safe...even if that means waging war against his own. With time running out, an unlikely bond pushes limits—and forges loyalties. Every move they make counts. And the real traitor is always watching...

Review:
There is a mole in the secret, off the grid, government agency the Gray Box. Gideon Stone, Reaper, is one of the handful of operatives who is not under suspicion. He has been assigned to investigate Willow Harper, a cryptologist and computer tech wizard who is one of the suspects. Gideon believes that Willow is innocent, and his opinion is reinforced as he gets closer to her and learns more of her secrets.

When the evidence points directly at Willow, Gideon is convinced that she is being framed. He determines that his task is now to protect her and that they have to get out of the office before she is taken into custody.

Gideon and Willow escape the base under fire. They know they are on the run from their own team of operatives and soon they realize that they must survive professional assassins coming after Willow, and now Gideon too. The pair cling together as they dodge death and try to uncover the identity of the true traitor.

Meanwhile Gideon is trying to resist his personal interest in Willow. In his mind, she deserves better than a trained killer which is what he is when needed. Willow is enthralled by Gideon and his ability to survive a troubled childhood and a brutal occupation. She would like nothing better than to steal moments with him, even for a limited time. But if she gets her wish will she really be able to step back into a co-worker attitude? And will Gideon be able to turn his back on her?

I really liked the unusual personal issues that Willow has to deal with. This added a special element to the story and her relationship with Gideon. As in the first book, Every Last Breath, the plot is suspenseful, tension-filled and intense. Unfortunately, I felt this book was more focused on the sexual tension and relationship between Willow and Gideon than on the traitor and underlying enemy issues. I don’t mind character chemistry, but I prefer it when that is the second element with the suspense taking priority. I still enjoyed the story but would be a bit more cautious about jumping into the third book. I can recommend this as a strong romantic suspense and a good read for those who enjoy focus on the personal/sexual elements.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble

This is a good Christian Romantic Suspense.
Strands of Truth
by Colleen Coble

File Size: 5603 KB
Print Length: 337 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0718085884

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 10, 2019)
Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.
Strands of Harper Taylor’s childhood are resurfacing—but will the truth save her . . . or pull her under?
Harper Taylor is used to being alone— after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.
So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?
Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.

Review:
Harper’s mother died when she was born, and Harper struggled in foster care. As a thieving fifteen-year-old, she was surprised when Oliver Jackson took her under his wing. His own children, Ridge and Willow were not happy about the attention their father gave to this wild child, not really recognizing all the gifts they took for granted. Oliver has remained Harper’s mentor and support as she pursues her marine research involving pen shells.

Now, aged 30. Harper is determined to have her own family so, with no boyfriend in sight, she is hoping to get pregnant by fertility implantation. Oliver isn’t thrilled by this decision but once again he is there to support her. He has tried to help her discover her biological father but with little success.

Harper has finally found a DNA match in Annabelle who appears to be an older sister. They had different mother’s and neither knows their father. As they begin to share their histories and the accidents that led to the deaths of their mothers, they become more determined to uncover the identity of their father.

However, they didn’t realize that their probing would bring trouble. Suddenly Oliver is attacked, then Harper. It isn’t clear what the motive is for the attacks, but Ridge is prepared to stand by and protect his father and Harper. The more time he spends with Harper, the more he realizes that she honestly cares for his father and wasn’t just out to get a free ride.

When Annabelle is kidnapped Harper and Ridge become even more concerned. They are joined by Annabelle’s sons, one of whom is a police officer, in searching the old files for any clues.

The story has plenty of personal conflict and tension, as well as a mystery with leads to keep them moving and asking questions. I liked both Harper and Ridge as characters and was glad when they began to work together. I enjoyed the mystery plot set in Florida and the interesting tidbits about the pen shells. I also liked the faith that gives a firm foundation to the main characters.

I have read several books by Colleen Coble and I enjoy her clean style, well-written suspense and romance and the faith elements in her writing. I recommend this to readers who enjoy romantic suspense.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Audio Review: Her Ruthless Protector Caitlyn O'Leary

This is good military intrigue with sexy romance.

Her Ruthless Protector (Amazon Link)
by Caitlyn O’Leary
Narrated by: Ryan West and Savannah Richards

Length: 6 hours 28 minutes
Review Copy Provided by The Audio Flow, LLC
Genre: Military Romance, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

It Only Took a Moment for Him to Know She Was His
Navy SEAL Kane McNamara has his mission. Four potential terrorist targets in Oman. His job is to keep everyone safe and try to figure out where al-Qaeda will strike next. Guarding an International Music Show is on the bottom of Kane’s list until he meets the woman organizing the event, then all bets are off. She’s fun, feisty and their chemistry is off the charts.
Has She Finally Met Her Match?
A.J. Lancaster has never met anyone like Kane. Nobody's ever given her this much crap or been this much fun. Her job doesn't give her a spare second to think, but she'll make time to flirt with the most interesting man she's ever met. The fact that he’s insanely gorgeous in that rough mountain man sort of way might also be why she’s taking a minute to enjoy some man candy.
It's Turning Deadly...Fast
Soon Kane, A.J., and the rest of the Night Storm SEAL team realize the music show is the next target. When bullets fly, it’s down to Kane and his team to stop al-Qaeda’s plans, and Kane must ensure that the stubborn woman he loves stays alive so they can have their chance at a happy ending.

Review:
Kane is a Navy SEAL who is dedicated to his work and his team. The team is on a mission to gain information and prevent a terrorist strike which they suspect will take place at one of four locations in Oman. One of the possible targets is an International Music Show. Kane isn’t convinced this is a legitimate target but becomes more interested when he meets the organizing manager, A.J. Lancaster. He is instantly smitten.

A.J. is a bright, confident young woman who has learned from childhood that she is the only person she can fully rely on. The men in her life have tended to be MIA when they were most needed. Now she has met a handsome, committed SEAL who is a force to be reckoned with. She won’t bow to him, but she does recognize his strengths. She determines that she can squeeze in a little time for a sassy and fun flirtation.

When accidents begin to interrupt the show practices, the team begins to dig in harder for information. The team faces danger and loss as well as frustration when they don’t get the support they need from state authorities. Kane is prepared to take risks to protect his team and prepared to risk his heart to secure the woman he has his sights on.

There is wonderful intensity in this story which has a strong plot that supports the strong romance. I wasn’t thrilled by the early foul language, but it seemed to lessen as the story progressed. I found this to be an engaging military romance that is worth pushing through to enjoy. I wouldn't mind reading more in this series. I would certainly recommend this to readers who enjoy a combination of military intrigue and sexy romance.

Audio Notes: Ryan West and Savannah Richards do a nice job sharing the narration from the perspectives of Kane and A.J. I felt they captured the strength and confidence of the two characters. The narration helped me enjoy this story as a quick (6hr28min), entertaining listen.

Source: Audio Download for review through Caffeinated PR Services.
This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

I totally enjoyed this intense, complex suspense.
Storm Rising
by Ronie Kendig

Series: Book of the Wars (Book 1)
Hardcover: 386 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 2, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764234072
Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Mentioned in the pages of the Septuagint but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets--and dangers--never before seen on earth.
Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is finally given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as "Viorica" snatches the volume right out from under them.
Iskra "Viorica" Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most--freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives--entire nations. Though both are haunted by secrets of the past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in two-
thousand-year-old words could unleash the storm of their own destruction.

Review:
Navy SEAL Leif is trying to recoup from team losses and memory losses when he is put in charge of a new team, full of old friends. Each team member brings the best of covert skills to the mission which is to locate and retrieve the mysterious Book of Wars. The team isn’t the only one after the book as at least two other players are a step ahead.

Just as Leif closes in on the book it is snatched from his hands by a notorious female operative, known as Viorica. Viorica, who is Iskra, has been directed by her ‘master/handler’ to bring the book to him. She is determined to get the book to trade for her freedom and something more.

Leif knows he shouldn’t trust this ruthless woman, but he sees something deep in her eyes that draws out a protective streak. Iskra doesn’t trust anyone but herself. But as Leif and Iskra face off several times, she begins to wonder if she can trust him and his team to win her freedom. Neither is quite sure of their footing when they are forced together by outside circumstances.

There are strange storms interfering in the team’s actions and Iskra can shed some light on that. She also has more information about the book which she is reluctant to share. It is clear they have some joint enemies to face if they want to protect many from a devious attempt to control nations.

I really enjoy the complex characters and situations that Kendig creates. The characters are deep, intense and flawed. The other team members have relationship dynamics going on which are probably part of future stories. The situations are fast-paced and tense. I like that the intense action doesn't require any bad language. The plot has a Christian foundation involved with the Book of Wars and is gently reflected in comments of faith from some of the characters. The plot may include fictional missions, but it reveals interesting covert tools that make me wonder what tools are real and in use by governments and individuals (very wealthy individuals).

My only (repeated) complaint with Ms. Kendig’s work is she tends to use multiple names for her characters: first name, last name, and a nickname or code name. I haven’t figured out the pattern for use if there is one. Sometimes it causes me to pause to make sure I have the right person in the right situation. Other than that, I enjoy the suspense ride even when the story finishes at a point that leaves issues open for the next book. I recommend this to readers who like intense romantic suspense.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Book Review: Preserving Liberty by Candice Sue Patterson

I enjoyed the characters and plot in this quick read.
Preserving Liberty
by Candice Sue Patterson

File Size: 1007 KB
Print Length: 113 pages
Publisher: Pure Amore (September 8, 2017)
ASIN: B07QL2YVLS
Genre: Clean Romance, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Historic preservation specialist Liberty Carmichael loves her position at the Library of Congress, caring for America's oldest documents. So when she intercepts an inside threat by a radical group planning to steal part of Thomas Jefferson's original collection, she takes it to the highest authority--her father, the president. When he fails to take the threat seriously, she steals the books to keep them safe.
Undercover FBI agent Cole Harding is close to disbanding the group responsible for killing his father. Believing documents once owned by Thomas Jefferson hold clues to answering a two hundred year old question, the group's next target is the Library of Congress. However, he wasn't expecting the First Daughter to get caught in the middle.
Will Cole convince the president to trust his abilities? Can he keep Liberty safe without blowing his cover? Can either protect their hearts?

Review:
Liberty, aka Libby, is a historic preservation specialist who is also the president’s daughter. She gains knowledge of a threat by a radical group planning to steal important historical documents, but her father doesn’t take the threat seriously. To protect the books Liberty steals them herself, sneaking them out of the collections and hiding them.

As she is purloining the final book, she is stunned to be stopped by someone she trusts. She barely escapes when a stranger on a motorcycle offers to help her. Libby is reluctant to trust a stranger but soon realizes that she can’t complete her mission without help.

Cole is an FBI agent who is undercover with the radical group trying to steal the books. He happens to be in the right place to ‘rescue’ the president’s daughter. He presents himself to help Libby without telling her that he will use her as bait to set-up the true radicals. The two decide to recover the books and decipher the hidden clues themselves. They are on the run, dodging bullets and thrown closer together after losing cash and clothes.

The longer Cole works with Libby the more he wants to keep her safe and explore a future with her. But how will she feel about him when the truth comes out? And how will he face her father, the president, after using Libby as a lure – assuming he can return her safely?

Libby is a strong, mostly likeable character. She had a clever idea about hiding the books, but she is a pampered young woman who didn’t fully plan for being on her own without a handy credit card or guard. Cole is a nice hunky FBI agent who knows better how to live on the run, even if he gets distracted a bit. I very much enjoyed their relationship and the puzzle clues surrounding secrets of Thomas Jefferson.

This is the second book I have read by Ms. Patterson (How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart) and I will have to add her to my repeat reading list. She provides clear characters, strong plots and a sweet romance that flows in easy writing. I recommend this quick book and author to readers who like clean romance.

Source: Pelican Book Group review gift September, 2018. This qualifies for 2019TBR goal.

Audio Book Review: Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection

One of these was slow but they were all nice, easy listening.

Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection
Author Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey & Lynette Eason
Narrator Various Narrators

Runtime 10.17 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher Recorded Books
Downloads ZIP M4B MP3
Release Date June 24, 2016
Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Description
In this collection of gripping novellas from the top authors of Christian romantic suspense, sins of the past lead to danger in the present. In Dee Henderson's "Missing," a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother gus missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins. Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with "Shadowed," introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector. Lynette Eason's "Blackout" delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?

Review:
"Missing" by Dee Henderson: John, a Wyoming sheriff, is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing from her elder home complex. He is met by Sharon Noble, a savvy Chicago Lieutenant who is already organizing the search. John has a past with criminals as a former Chicago cop and there are several avenues to look at for suspects.

I liked the premise of this plot, the two characters and the clear friendship that grows as they work together. There are good clues in the short story that might let a keen reader figure out the twist. The drawback on this was the very slow beginning. I listened to the first hour and a half during a drive with others and none of us were particularly engaged at that point. Fortunately, I pushed through to listen to the rest as I did enjoy the final package. My rating: 3.75.

“Shadowed” by Dani Pettrey: Competitive swimmer, Libby, is in Alaska and plans to enjoy some tourism. She is the only one to show up early on a rainy morning for a whale watching tour. Ben the tour guide (and more) is impressed by Libby’s spunk and determination. He agrees to take her out. In addition to seeing whales they discover something else in the water. When they pull the body on board, Libby is shocked to recognize her number one competitor, a Russian swimmer.

Libby’s competitive schedule hasn’t allowed her to develop relationships and she wasn’t looking for one this trip. But Ben’s competence and gently protective tendencies draw her in. Ben knew at some point he might decide to settle down, but he had never met the right woman until now. The relationship builds between them even as they are dodging a killer as they try to unravel the truth about spies and counterspies.

This story was engaging and an easy listen as it raced quickly through discovery, danger and deception. My rating: 4.25.

“Blackout” by Lynette Eason: Macey has had blackouts for the past six years since she survived a robbery where she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and she was almost killed. She hides her past because the connections don’t look good. Now, as someone is stalking and frightening her, more memories are returning.

Macey’s neighbor Chad is a police detective. He knows that Macey has kept him at arm’s length, but he rushes in when he hears her scream. She isn’t imagining things. Macey’s high school crush, who was involved in the robbery, has returned and it appears he is pressuring her to remember. But someone else doesn’t want her to remember what happened that night, and is prepared to kill Macey to stop her. Macey begins to open up and rely more on Chad as the threat escalates.

This story presents tension from the beginning. I wasn’t overly impressed with Macey as a character, but Chad is a strong, attractive hero. The story moves along well although it seems a little rushed. 4.0.

The collection provides three easy, satisfactory listens. The faith of characters is shared without being preachy or overbearing. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean romantic suspense. 4.0.

Audio Notes: The narrators were Graham Winton, Christina Moore, and Therese Plummer in that order. All three did a good job with the narration. Winton is the only new narrator to me as I have enjoyed audios narrated by Moore and Plummer before. The narration made this an easier ’read’ for me.

Source: July 2017 Christianaudio Sale. This qualifies for my 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan

This is fast-paced romantic suspense with intense situations and characters.

Every Last Breath
by Juno Rushdan

File Size: 1898 KB
Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 30, 2019)
ASIN: B07L434K5L
Genre: Action Adventure, Romantic Suspense, Terrorism Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

48 hours, 2 covert operatives, 1 chance to get it right
Maddox Kinkade is an expert at managing the impossible. Tasked with neutralizing a lethal bioweapon, she turns to the one person capable of helping her stop the threat of pandemic in time: the love of her life, back from the dead and mad as hell at her supposed betrayal. Recruiting Cole to save millions of lives may be harder than resisting the attraction still burning between them, but Maddox will do whatever it takes...even if it destroys her.
When Maddox crashes back into Cole Matthews' life, he wants to fight back. He wants to hate her. But the crisis is too strong to ignore, and soon the two former lovers find themselves working side-by-side in a breakneck race to stop a world-class killer with a secret that could end everything.
The clock is ticking.
A race-against-time romantic thriller, perfect for fans of JD Robb and Mary Burton!

Review:
Maddox is a specialized CIA agent whose Gray Box team has been tasked with tracking, capturing the terrorists and recovering a stolen bioweapon. Maddox and her team have just returned from a mission and aren’t at 100% but they are ready to roll. Her superiors know that she could use extra help so they send the team to retrieve a non-CIA ‘asset’, Cole Matthews. The team shows up just in time to rescue Cole from a kidnapping by Russians. That is a bit of surprise but even more shocking to Maddox is the moment she sees Cole’s face.

Maddox knows this man as her almost fiancé who supposedly died nine years ago. She knows she made a mistake in betraying his family, but she went through extreme pain when she thought he was dead and has never moved on to another love. To cope with her losses, Maddox immersed herself in CIA training ending up in a covert organization. Maddox can’t understand how her first love could have allowed her to go through that pain of loss and she is livid. The only reason she would be willing to work with ‘Cole’ is the threat to innocent lives.

Cole created a new persona after Maddox’s betrayal devastated his family. He became a security specialist with the added background of assassin training. He never expected to see Maddox again and isn’t thrilled with the idea the agency he has always hated wants to use him. But once they pull him into the mission, there is no way he is going to let Maddox fight the danger without his protection.

The team knows the extreme risk of the bioweapon but they don’t realize the depth of the focused revenge intended by the enemy. Added to the dangerous mission is the discovery by the team that there is a mole in the base and they don’t know who they can trust.

This book in one word is “Intense”. The characters, Maddox and Cole, are intense ‘warriors’ aka operatives, who have personal history. The plot is suspenseful, tension-filled and intense. The same is true of the relationship between Maddox and Cole, plus there is a good dose of passion – both in anger and in chemistry. Their time together sizzles and sometimes they have to step back and remember the mission they have to complete before they can address all of their own issues. The story resolves the mission but leaves open the identity of the mole. I will be glad to read the next book in the series.

This has an excellent blend of tension, action and romance; Romantic Suspense just the way I like it. I highly recommend this to readers who like intense romantic suspense.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Time Collector by Gwendolyn Womack

This has a great blend of history and mystery.

The Time Collector
by Gwendolyn Womack

File Size: 4010 KB
Print Length: 332 pages
Publisher: Picador (April 16, 2019)
ASIN: B07H25HM63
Genre: Metaphysical Fiction, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

A thrilling page-turner from Gwendolyn Womack, the USA Today bestselling author of The Fortune Teller
Travel through time with the touch of a hand.
Roan West was born with an extraordinary gift: he can perceive the past of any object he touches. A highly skilled psychometrist, he uses his talents to find and sell valuable antiques, but his quiet life in New Orleans is about to change. Stuart, a fellow pyschometrist and Roan’s close friend, has used his own abilities to unearth several out-of-place-artifacts or “ooparts”—like a ring that once belonged to the seventeenth-century mathematician and philosopher René Descartes, but was found buried in prehistoric bedrock.
The relics challenge recorded history, but soon after the discovery, Stuart disappears, making him one of several psychometrists who have recently died or vanished without a trace. When Roan comes across a viral video of a young woman who has discovered a priceless pocket watch just by “sensing” it, he knows he has to warn her—but will Melicent Tilpin listen? And can Roan find Stuart before it’s too late?
The quest for answers will lead Roan and Melicent around the world—before it brings them closer to each other and a startling truth—in the latest romantic thriller from Gwendolyn Womack, the bestselling, PRISM Award-winning author of The Memory Painter and The Fortune Teller.

Review:
Roan West has an unusual, if difficult, gift. When he touches an object, he sees the history of its origins in vivid detail. Sometimes this is an experience of joy but other times it is a horror. Those with the abilities of Psychometry are rare and the skill levels vary. One man, Stuart, has become close friends with Roan and he has repeatedly invited Roan to join their small group of psychometrist archeologists. Stuart is excited about finding objects that are out of place and time. Stuart called Roan for an important meeting but failed to show up. Roan becomes concerned when he learns that two of the psychometrist group have recently died and Stuart has gone missing.

Melicent is a young woman who for years suppressed the strange sensations she feels when she touches objects. When her mother dies from illness, Melicent is desperate to find funds to secure the future for herself and her teen-aged brother. She picks up a Tiffany lamp and a priceless watch at antique shops. She takes them to an Auction Roadshow and finds out they have surprising value. Inadvertently, in an interview that goes viral, she mentions that she ‘senses with her hands’.

Roan’s assistant sends him Melicent’s interview. Worried that she may be a target due to her newly revealed psychometrist skills, Roan flies in to meet her. Events end up pulling Melicent into Roan’s world and investigations. Their search takes them to London, France and other locations. They combine their skills to find a pattern in the material that Stuart was gathering on his computer. Roan then sets off to Mexico but Melicent realizes he may be walking into a trap. Can she get to him in time?

I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the psychometry issues. There are wonderful, historical stories shared including a meeting between Mozart and violinist Regina Strinasacchi. The stories may be fictionalized but they added lovely depth. I enjoyed Melicent and Roan’s reserved characters and the romance that blossoms between them. The suspense kept me reading till the end. I recommend this to readers who enjoy historical detail and mystery suspense.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for my 2019NetGalley goal.

Audio Book Review: Still Life by Dani Pettrey

This is a strong, engaging Christian romantic suspense..

Still Life
by Dani Pettrey
Narrated by Therese Plummer

Runtime 8.75 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher christianaudio
Gerne: Christian, Religious Romance, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Romantic Suspense's Rising Star Continues to Win Fans
Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.
Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

Review:
Avery was blacklisted from her former photography business which had her accepting work as a crime scene photographer. She found she had a good working relationship with crime scene analyst, Parker Mitchell. But she stepped away when she realized that she was losing her heart and he was still tied up with his deceased wife.

Six months later Avery is returning to the art world to attend a gallery to support a childhood friend, Skylar, who modeled for the show. Instead of finding Skylar she finds a chilling image which has been substituted into the show to the great anger of the featured photographer. Avery goes to her old neighborhood to locate Skylar but finds her missing and is bowled over by someone racing out of Skylar’s trailer. Avery quickly seeks the help of the best crime analyst she knows, Parker.

Parker is thrilled to be working with Avery again even though he continues to struggle with his feelings that his interest in Avery betrays his first wife. But Parker is ready to help and is glad to find that his law enforcement friends are present to help investigate the sabotaged art show and the missing friend. They also get caught up in investigating death of crew on a ship that apparently smuggled in illegal immigrants.

The return to her home community is difficult since Avery had a rough time growing up with situations she has kept secret from those around her. It is good to watch how Avery and Parker work through their feelings even as they race to locate Skylar. Parker provides forensic clues and Avery provides informed photography expertise that is effective helping in both cases.

I was pulled right into this when I started listening. I really enjoyed the characters with their strong faith foundations. They are not perfect and in fact have to work through very normal emotions of doubt and self-recrimination. The emotional conflict did seem to be drawn out just a little bit more than necessary.

The plot involves two good mysteries that kept my interest especially with forensic details. There are mentions of characters who were lost or missing from the first book, but I was able to read this book fine as a standalone. I would be interested in picking up the other books in the series and by this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy Christian based romantic suspense.

Audio Notes: Therese Plummer is an excellent narrator. She provides good voices for each of the characters and I will admit that Parker’s Irish accent is rather yummy. The pacing and presentation through audio enhanced my enjoyment of this book.

Source: ChristianAudio Sale July 2017. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd

This is an engaging suspense with an ending that leads to another book.

Dead Girl Running
Cape Charade
By: Christina Dodd
Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson

Series: Cape Charade Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-24-18
Language: English
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
I have three confessions to make:
1. I've got the scar of a gunshot on my forehead.
2. I don't remember an entire year of my life.
3. My name is Kellen Adams...and that's half a lie.
Girl running...from a year she can't remember, from a husband she prays is dead, from homelessness and fear. Tough, capable Kellen Adams takes a job as assistant manager of a remote vacation resort on the North Pacific Coast. There amid the towering storms and the lashing waves, she hopes to find sanctuary. But when she discovers a woman's dead and mutilated body, she's soon trying to keep her own secrets while investigating first one murder...then another.
Now every guest and employee is a suspect. Every friendly face a mask. Every kind word a lie. Kellen's driven to defend her job, her friends, and the place she's come to call home. Yet she wonders - with the scar of a gunshot on her forehead and amnesia that leaves her unsure of her own past - could the killer be staring her in the face?
©2018 Christina Dodd (P)2018 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Review:
Kellen Adams has a few secrets in her background…and some mysteries. Kellen has reinvented herself after escaping from a brutal, abusive husband. She is pretty sure he is dead, but it is still hard to put it behind her and out of her dreams…or nightmares.

Kellen spent seven years in the military honing combat and deductive skills. Now she has taken a job as an assistant manager at a remote vacation resort. Kellen has a brain that observes, delineates details and categorizes people and situations. This helps her working with various employees and guests and aids in directing the activities. She didn’t expect to have to deal with an uncovered, mutilated body and the subsequent investigation. The facts point to the murderer being someone, most likely staff or a long-time resident, at the resort. This news soon puts all the current staff and guests on edge.

One particular guest is supposed to be a moody author, but he keeps sticking his nose into the investigation. Finally, he pulls Kellen into his secret intrigues claiming to be an undercover officer of a little-known government artifact recovery department. The theory is that a master criminal has been smuggling stolen artifacts through the resort. Now Kellen has these headaches to add to her nightmares of running from an abusive husband and losing a year of her memories.

I was pulled into the story right away. Kellen’s unique quirk of identifying the characteristics of each person she encounters is an interesting (although sometimes awkward) technique to introduce the other characters. There are several threads of intrigue weaving through the story: Kellen’s past, the suspected smuggling and the current investigations. The author includes flashback chapters to fill in Kellen’s history and people from her past who ultimately collide with her present. There is more than one strong suspect which kept the twists going until the end. After several suspenseful, dangerous confrontations, the story ends with a surprise that is likely to have me picking up the next book.

Over the years I have enjoyed many books by Christina Dodd, both historical romances and romantic suspense. This one had different writing elements but still the well-developed characters and twisty plot. I recommend this to readers who like romantic suspense that is strong on intrigue and action.

Audio Notes: Vanessa Johansson does a good job with the narration. The characters are distinct, and the energy helps keep the listen moving. The audio made it easier for me to listen through the story.

Source: December 2018 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.