Reading, Writing & Pondering

    Scent of Hope by Susan May Warren is the second book in the Call of the Wild series. As a dog lover, I love that dogs are a main character in each book of this series. Along with that, this book is a fast-paced action-packed book. Harley Tatum is a private investigator who came home to Copper Mountain, Alaska, with her job to catch a bad guy she has been trying to catch for a long time. Coming home is painful as a drug dealer destroyed her family and she is the lone survivor. This is the bad guy she is trying to find and her family history fuels her search. Jericho Bowie is back in Copper Mountain after serving in the military and working in search and rescue in Montana. His family owns a hotel that his dad hoped  Jericho would run one day. Instead, he ran away after his parents were killed in a plane crash. But before the crash, he had words with his dad that lingered in his heart and drove his decisions. At one time, Harley and Jericho were neighbors and supported ...

  I have to be honest, I am not fond of winter or cold places so reading a book set in Alaska wouldn't be my first choice--EXCEPT it is written by Susan May Warren. I will pretty much read anything she writes. Track of Courage is the start of a new Call of the Wild series and is set mainly in Alaska.  Keely William is a pop singer who came to Alaska to search for her biological mother. When she sees her, she chickens out on telling her who she is. . .and gets on a plane to go home.  However, things don't go as planned when the plane is hijacked and crashes.  Dawson Mulligan is an ex-cop who had a bad knee injury and has some PTSD after a rescue that went wrong. He decides to fly home to Copper Mountain to recuperate and figure out his next move. On the way home, they spot the downed plane. His dog, Caspian, then runs off on a trail of a survivor.  When Dawson catches up to Keely, they both may have found more than they bargained for. Can Dawson get her out of t...

  The Bells At Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright is a dark tale based on a true murder story--in two timelines. Like most of Wright's books, this is a dual timeline story. I usually like her books but this one was just too creepy and dark for my tastes to be a favorite of hers. I wanted to know what happened so kept going but I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as I have some of her other books. In 1890, there is the murder of Waverly Pembrooke's Aunt and Uncle. Waverly then has to spend a week in the hall along with her Aunt and Uncle's dead bodies. I felt for Waverly in more ways than one with this awful arrangement. Then there is also a murder in Newton Creek during the present day timelines. Jennie Phillips takes over the estate from her mother. There is a dark mystery in this timeline as well. Maybe it is just my state of mind right now, as I have been enjoying more positive books as of late. There is just so much dark stuff in this one. It is well-written, I t...

  Do you follow authors who write in more than one genre? I have been reading and enjoying Irene Hannon's books for a long time. Out of Time is a romantic suspense book and the last book in her Undaunted Courage series. She also writes regular romantic fiction in her Hope Harbor series. This book has a preview of her next book in that series coming out next year. I loved that too! Historical Anthropologist Cara Tucker is a professor on sabbatical at a remote country estate. She is also working with the estate's owner to translate journals that are written in an outdated language. Not long after she arrives, strange things are happening around the estate.  Sheriff Brad Adams investigates the strange happenings. Soon Cara and Brad feel an attraction towards one another.  At the same time, more strange things are going on at the estate. Who is behind all of them? Is Cara in danger too? I enjoyed Out of Time . This author writes clearly and the plot has good pacing. The "bad...

  Do you like a good ghost story? Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse is Jaime Jo Wright's latest novel and it features the ghost named Annabel. Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse is a dual timeline novel. The book starts off in the late 1800s with Rebecca who is lost and has amnesia. Readers first meet Rebecca on Annabel's grave. Those who live in the lighthouse struggled to keep Rebecca safe as there were still evil people out to get her.  In the present-day timeline, author and researcher Shea Radclyffe is staying at the lighthouse to research about Annabel and to write a book. If she is honest, she is also struggling with her marriage to Pete and she isn't sure what to do about it. Then Pete shows up at the lighthouse to help her with some car repairs--and maybe help her solve the mystery surrounding her. Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse is a book that is fraught with mystery and angst in both timelines. I didn't figure out all of the mysteries on either side...

  Are you looking for a new fast-paced suspense read? Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard will keep you turning pages to figure out what is going on. Remi Grant is a former army photographer who is struggling with amnesia. She has been in hiding the past couple of years and simply can't remember what happened. However, puzzle pieces start coming in the mail that are supposed to be significant and help her remember--before it is too late. Can she finally remember what was so terrible she blocked it out? Remi now manages a secluded lodge. There a mysterious man saves her life not just once but twice. Still she isn't sure Hawk is one of the good guys but she wants to trust him. Hawk has some issues of his own that he is struggling with as well. He has been told his former army brother, Cole, is now working for the dark side. Thrown together, Hawk and Remi work to solve both of their mysteries. Is there a connection between them? I enjoyed Storm Warning . The pacing was good and I ...

  “Reminiscent of Dan Brown’s work but with a tone and momentum all its own, Kelly’s yarn will delight thriller fans looking for an exciting read.” – Kirkus Reviews “ Rich in culture, themes of belief, and the grand implications of its relic,  The Malachi Covenant  exemplifies its genre, blending brisk plotting, action-packed sequences, and jolting betrayals with thoughtful spiritual inquiry, keeping the suspense potent up to a satisfying conclusion.” – BookLife “Dee Kelly, Jr. is a master wordsmith.  The Malachi Covenant  is a propulsive thriller that takes the reader on an electrifying adventure. The characters are fully drawn and his research is on broad display. This story will draw you in and not let you go until the heart pounding ending. Even then, the story will stay with you.” -Glenn Dyer, Author of  Trust No One The relics of St. Nicholas are among the most divine and prized possessions in the Christian world, said to hold the power to...

  A bout  The Last Exchange Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 18, 2024) Paperback: 384 pages “Here’s the catch–even if I make it out of here alive, I need a reason to breathe again.” When MacThomas Pockets finished his last tour as part of the Scottish Special Forces, he was hired to consult for a film director to finesse some scenes that weren’t working. In a twist he never saw coming, he ended up moving to L.A. to work as the bodyguard for movie star Maybe Joe Sue. It didn’t take long for Pockets to realize there were two Joe Sues: The Joe Sue the public saw with her perfect life and her Hollywood husband. And the private Joe Sue: the one with the traumatic youth that no amount of pills could cover up, who desperately wanted a child of her own. Even after their paths diverged, he continued to track Joe Sue’s life. Only a few would notice when the bottom fell out. But he did. And that’s when he stepped in. One man seeks to answer the question: How far would you go–re...

Hidden Mountain Secret s by Kerry Johnson is the latest book in the Tunnel Creek suspense series from Love Inspired Suspense.  Brielle Holt is an antique dealer who has stumbled into more than just the latest great finds for her antique shop. Unfortunately, she is in the middle of a family feud and it could have grave consequences for her--and her staff at the antique store. Fortunately, her old family friend, Lucas Scott, who is a trained detective is there to help her--but can he keep her safe? Hidden Mountain Secrets continues the story of the Holt family if you have read the two books prior to this release. However, it isn't necessary to read those to enjoy this story. I enjoyed the action and the suspense in this story. It took me a bit to figure out how the villain in the story was. These books are a quick read and a great size to stick in your book bag to carry with you and read when you have extra time waiting somewhere. Since they aren't as long as a trader paperback,...

  Do you like the movie, Die Hard, that some people call a Christmas classic movie? If so, Christmas in the Cross hairs by Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood and Sami A. Abrams with Lynette Eason may be right up your alley. This book includes three suspenseful novellas:Deadly Holiday Hijack, Silent Night Siege, Christmas Snowstorm Standoff. Deadly Holiday Hijack by Kate Angelo features a plot to hijack a megachurch on the Christmas pageant night. Bodyguard Christina Sherman and her fiance Grey Parker went to Savannah to watch their nephew in a Christmas program. . .but as the action and terror heat up, it doesn't look like a program will take place. How will they get the bad guys? Silent Night Seige by Kelly Underwood details Billionaire Preston Whittaker and bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz plane flight as they head to some friends' wedding. Laila has ticked off a bad guy who is on the loose and out to get them. Will he succeed? Will Preston and Laila see the value in their relationship ...

  Creed. The man who feels like a criminal because of his past. Can he become a prince to save the princess he loves? Creed by Susan May Warren is the final book in the Minnesota Marshalls series.  I have enjoyed all the books in the Minnesota Marshalls series and have looked forward to Creed . This book is full of action, with intermittent romance, and full of many of Marshalls coming in together for the conclusion. Seeing updates to characters you recognize from past series is always fun with this author. I enjoyed the mystery of figuring out how the bad guys are and just how big this plot is that run throughout the series.  Unfortunately, some things aren't entirely wrapped up in Creed . It is like an end-of-season episode of a series like Loki that leaves one dangling with future answers to come in another series or two. I can see the fun in that for the author, but it can be frustrating to the reader. In any case, Warren has me right where she wants me as I will con...

  It has been quite a while since I have read a Nancy Mehl book. Her newest book, Cold Pursuit , is a book that would be enjoyed by fans of Lynette Eason if you haven't read one for a while, either. Cold Pursuit had more of a thriller aspect than the last book that I read by her. In Cold Pursuit , Former FBI agents River Ryland and Tony St. Clair recently opened a new private detective agency after leaving the FBI. River struggles with PTSD after a serial killer case that went wrong. Tony has some health issues, so he decided to leave the agency with her. Their first case is a cold case about a missing teenage boy. River is also staying with her mom, who is in the early stages of dementia, and they struggle to have a good family relationship after River's parent's divorce. There are several threads going on at once in Cold Pursuit . There are mysteries to solve, and at least one psychological killer is on the loose. As the book begins, we also follow one of t...

Ned is the third book in the Minnesota Marshalls series by Susan May Warren. Let me tell you, with her many years of writing experience, this author knows how to write books that keep your heart pounding and your fingers turning pages quickly. Ned has been through four years of training to be a Navy SEAL. He has the woman of his dreams, Shae Johnson is waiting for him in Switzerland. Unfortunately, when he finally gets to see her after being on a mission, the two have a disagreement. That is bad enough, as both Shae and Ned almost instantly regret their words, but right afterwords Shae goes missing. Shae has been kidnapped by Russian thugs and is in Siberia. What will it take to get her back? Ned has some hoops to go through to get to Shae. I love all the action in this book. I like the close-knit Marshall family and how they all work to help each other out in difficult times. I also like Shae and my reader heart goes out to her in her difficult predicament that I can not imagine in ...

  Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley is the first book in the new Pearl River series.  Alexis Stone has been working in Chatanooga as a police detective when her grandfather has a heart attack. He asks her to fill in as interim sheriff in Alexis' hometown of Pearl Springs until he gets back on his feet. She had been trying to solve the Queens Gambit serial killer case when she left Chatanooga. The first day on the job as interim sheriff, the killer strikes again. Each time, the killer leaves a white chess game pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it. To solve the crime, Pearl Springs Police Chief, and Alexis high school sweetheart, Nathan Landry helps her track down the killer. Counter Attack has a lot of action. I don't play chess but the chess pieces and the moves the killer left were interesting. At the same time, I didn't feel the suspense with this book that I have with other Bradley books. Maybe because, in this case, I figured out the killer early on in the b...

    Private Investigator Kenna Banburry is back in Salt Lake City, where she lost everything two years ago when a serial killer deeply injured her and killed her boyfriend. Since then, she has been working to solve missing person cases and bring the bad guys in. She has just done the same, when a series of murders in Salt Lake City turn towards her as the one behind them. Is she out for revenge now? Cold Dead Night by Lisa Phillips is a fast moving book with a complicated plot that will keeps the reader guessing right up to the end. I did have an inkling who the killer was but I didn't figure a lot of it out until nearly the end. There is the inkling of a romantic relationship in this book but otherwise it more of a suspense book than romance. There isn't much in this book in the way of faith, although there is indication that Kenna has faith in God. It took me awhile to warm up to her as a character because she was so defensive through much of the book. I didn't really fe...

  Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard is a suspense book--focused on cyber crimes. . .with some action and adventure between real people thrown in. This book is the Third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. You could read this book alone but it would be a better read in order with the other books in the series. In Critical Alliance , Mackenzie Hanson is a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university. When she finds out her father's company is under cyber attack, she heads home to help--even though she isn't sure her family will want to see her.  Alex Knight is also back home in Montana on a leave from his job in Diplomatic Security Services. He is supposed to relax but then he is drawn into the mystery facing Mackenzie as they renew their friendship. I enjoyed the mysteries in Critical Alliance . I figured out a few things but there were also some I didn't know until it was revealed in the book. Some of the implications of what the hacker could do were pr...

    What do you get when you mix a book featuring Amish people with suspense? A new book called, Among the Innocent by Mary Alford. Ten years ago, Leah Miller's entire Amish family was murdered. She thought the killer committed suicide. But was that the right guy? Miller, along with the new police detective Dalton Cooper, are faced with a new case where an Amish woman is murdered in the same way almost exactly 10 years later.  Among the Innocent is my first book by Mary Alford. This book kept me turning pages quickly to find out who the real killer was. The plot was fast-paced and the story line moved along quickly. I liked the main characters, Leah and Dalton. However, I didn't think there was much romance to develop a relationship and I thought it happened a little too quickly.  I bring this up because it is labeled Romantic Suspense. . .and I think just "Suspense" would have worked better as a label. Anyway, I was more interested in finding out who the bad guy w...

  Are you a fan of clean mysteries and suspense books? If you haven't read James R. Hannibal, I would encourage you to give this author a try. Elysium Tide is a book full of mystery, suspense, lots of action and some twists and turns that you may not see coming. Dr. Peter Chesterfield, one of the top neurosurgeons in London, is a workaholic who just had a big blow-up with his colleague--and his boss orders him to attend a medical symposium at a luxury hotel in Maui. Not surprisingly, Peter has a had time relaxing once he gets there so he takes a midnight walk on the beach--where he pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Sadly, in spite of his skill, he can't save her and he becomes obsessed with finding her killer. . .much to the frustration of Lisa Kealoha, who is the detective assigned to the case. Maybe if they work together, they can find the killer? I devoured Elysium Tide quickly as I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed Peter's dry British humor. ...

  Dr. Ivy Collins is one driven lady. She is the head of a company and close to a breakthrough after years of hard work and research. Then one day she finds herself in a terrible position with some pretty awful people holding her hostage. Can she get out? If she does, how can she keep working on the project? U S Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon may be able to help her. Can he save her? Can he help her solve her work problems too? Malicious Intent starts out making my reader-heart pound and Lynn H. Blackburn doesn't give my heart much rest until the end of the book. This is romantic suspense series is one that I have really enjoyed. I like the characters. I like how they are real but also share their faith. I like the action. I like the romance. I think the cover is eye catching and works well for the book. Malicious Intent is the second book in the Defend and Protect series. I can't wait for the next book, which I hope is Zane and Tessa's story. I received a copy of this book...

  EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton starts out this book in the midst of a high stress situation. She just piloted a helicopter and had to make an emergency landing with a patient in desperate need of care on board. Add to that that her radio isn't working so she heads out to find help during a raging storm with a serial killer on the loose. Woah! Talk about starting out the book running! Life Fligh t by Lynette Eason is sure a page turner. The pacing in this book just keeps the reader on edge right through to the end. Life Flight is one wild ride for the reader going along with some interesting characters. Penny connects up with Special Agent Holt Satterfield as they both try to stay alive amidst the chaos in the area and just when you think they got the killer, you wonder, did they get the right man? There is a lot of action in Life Flight . I'll be honest, I like this author but this one creeped me out more than the usual Christian suspense book. The killer especially cree...