***Book Review- SHATTERED (#3 of the LOST ) by Cynthia Eden

   

In New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden's latest novel featuring the Last Option Search Team (LOST), one agent is forced to face her past as she uncovers secrets about the man who may be the key to her future. Criminal psychologist Dr. Sarah Jacobs is all too familiar with the kind of bad boys who belong behind bars. But the dark, dangerous man she meets in the New Orleans underworld is a new kind of ruthless, and all too irresistible. Jax Fontaine doesn't claim to be a good guy, but he's loyal to his own code and brutally honest about what he wants. He and Sarah may be worlds apart, but when they're skin to skin, nothing matters but the heat between them. And when a deranged killer targets Sarah, Jax will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. . . .

 AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

Another really good story in this series! It's not only an intense, unpredictable story.  

But also even if you are reading the books out of order, they aren't hard to keep up with.   

The connection between Sarah and Jax kind of scares both of them.  Especially Sarah the most, no one ever really "got" her before.   And it looks like Sarah is the first person to really understand Jax like he always hoped someone would.  To see the dangerous man but to also "see" more and not be afraid.  I liked how when he asked Sarah, "what do you see when you look at me? " She said she saw strength.  

There was plenty of not only well felt emotions but also danger coming at time you just couldn't predict. And the twists and turns just kept coming.  But the biggest ones comes as the story races towards an explosive end. 

Oh and did I mention that Daddy Dearest shows up in the story? Sarah's daddy who was often referred to as a monster.The one that she put in prison. A well deserved title for her serial killer father.  

Pretty much all of the betrayals are solved but it just seems that there is a "humming" thread left to pull.  

 

Via HOOPLA

Come Out of that Grave (Resurrection Power) - Bethel Music & Brandon Lake

**Book Review- Code of Courage by Janice Cantore

    

Christian | Mystery & Thrillers | Romance  

 

Description

Detective Danni Grace has never met a police officer who wants to face a scenario where pulling the trigger on another person is the only option. When the worst does occur and there’s a police-involved shooting, it leads to riots and calls to disband the entire police force in La Rosa, Danni’s hometown.

After fifteen years on the force, Danni has had enough. Injured in the line of duty when a protester throws a chunk of concrete at her and shaken by the vitriol being shown to the police, Danni realizes for the first time that she’s lost her passion for the job.

While she’s on a leave of absence, though, a community activist in La Rosa is shot and a fellow officer is blamed for his murder. Taking on this case means stepping back into a job Danni’s not sure she can do anymore . . . and working closely with her ex-husband, Gabriel Fox, an investigator for the city prosecutor’s office. Danni will need to tap into her code of courage to uncover the truth, prevent another injustice, and uphold her oath to serve and protect. 

 

AMAZON LINK 

 

4 STARS

 

 This story make me feel uncomfortable at times.  Why? You probably already guessed because of it's closeness to the craziness of our current times.  But was it well written?  That's a strong Yes.   It was also gritty and realistic. 

The police were being victimized as a group and no one was lifting a finger to help them.  I hate that this is happening even now like police have zero value when it comes to their lives and the lives of their families.  I guess that was another reason I kind of dragged my feet reading this because I just knew it was going to fire me up ! And the violence starts right out in the first pages of the story. Not only does it continue but comes in unpredictable ways and times. And the "upper" management was to my way of thinking, clueless, guilty of fluffy thinking and some outright corruption.

 

My favorite truth that was mentioned  had to do with the only people in the community who would benefit from no police were the criminals.  

There is also a few surprises waiting, some attempts to regain romance between Danni and Gabe.  There is also scriptures and faith in God because Yes, this is a Christian story which is a clean but intense story. 

 It has a good ending with MANY secrets revealed and a H.E.A. heading Danni and Gabe's way.  

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

(Netgalley)

** Book Review- A Royal Mistake by Jennifer Bonds

   

General Fiction (Adult), Romance 

Each book in the Royally Engaged series is STANDALONE:

The perfect guy. The perfect lie...

Princess Philippa Stanley is over being the perfect royal.

The world’s got bigger problems than the color of her nail polish, yet the tabloids insist on detailing her every royal faux pas. Like her bold new hairstyle and missing pantyhose. Freaking pantyhose. Things that don’t matter to anyone—except her parents.

Their Majesties are desperate for her to settle down. So desperate they invite a dozen overzealous bachelors to compete for her hand in marriage. Now she’s living her own nightmare version of The Bachelorette: Royal Edition with suitors ambushing her at every turn.

No way is she participating in this farce of a courtship. Hard pass. But when her father makes her an offer she can’t refuse—take part in exchange for access to her trust fund—it’s the only way to get the money she needs to start her own charitable foundation.

Fine. She’ll play the game. There’s zero chance she’ll fall in love until she crashes into a sexy, down-to-earth philanthropist who can help her launch her charity and drive off the unwanted suitors. It’s like she’s met the perfect guy.

But what if he’s really the perfect lie?

AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

 

This story was a fun romp with some determined people starring in it.   Starting with  Philippa or Pippa as she liked to be called.  She was liked a "caged bird" who longed to be..herself.  And the days of her going along with her rigidly ruled life was over.  The new version of Pippa was rocking the boat.  And I really liked her style a lot. She had a determined group of titled toffs after her for all the wrong reasons. So she came up with a mission, named  "Operation Ditch the Toffs."  And that is when things really got funny.

 Her parents, The Majesties, were more Royals and how things "looked to others" than concern for her happiness.  It looked like better things would be coming with the Royals, starting with her brother, the heir.

 Henry, what a pickle he was in but also what a really good person too.  He was all about helping others and wanting the spotlight to shine on someone else, thank you very much.  Of course, you just know that his secret is going to come out in the worst way and the worst time.   Yep.  But he does manage to grovel his way to a H.E.A.  I also enjoyed the Epilogue that held even more smiles.

 

 

  “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

*BOOK REVIEW- Dead Ringer by Cora Kenborn and N. Isabelle Blanco

   

Nothing is what it seems.

My life has been turned upside-down since she was brought here.

Delusions are starting to take control.

She haunts me . . . 

And I fear where this madness will lead. 

 

NOT FOUND ON AMAZON OR GOODREADS 

 

 This was more of a short story and it WAS different.  BUT, for me it was also a hard, No.  It was strange going into it and then it had to do with a ghost also.  So even though it was a free copy, I didn't like it. Now that's not to say that the authors might have other books I might like.  But this one just wasn't of them, for me.

 

 

BOOK REVIEW- Wicked Deception (# 4 of The Paladin League) by Patti O'Shea

   

 Wicked Deception is the 4th book in the Paladin League series, but can be read as a standalone.

Special Forces Sgt. Kyle Winter’s vow to stay away from the nun he can’t get out of his head is blown to pieces when he’s assigned to work undercover at the convent as a mercenary turned handyman. The arms dealer his team is after is interested in the abbey and his captain wants to know why. How hard can it be to avoid Sister Sexy anyway?

Marianna Castillo is desperate. So desperate, she’s disguised herself as a nun, and hidden in a convent. She’s been running for more than two years, staying one step ahead of the arms dealer trying to kill her. He can’t allow her to live, not when she can destroy him. And now he’s watching the abbey.

Mari needs help, but the person with the skills to keep her safe can’t be trusted. A mercenary’s loyalty is always for sale to the highest bidder, and the man who wants her dead can pay him a fortune.

But as the arms dealer closes in, she has to make a choice. Keep running or trust Kyle to fight beside her and reclaim her life.

AMAZON LINK

 

 I liked this story mainly because of the main characters and the secrets that they hid.  

And I'd say that Marianna had a whole bunch MORE than even Kyle had.  No wonder she was running for her life.  She pulled off her disguise really well and that messed up Kyle quite a lot.  In fact it was kind of funny with him fighting off his attraction...to a nun. 

The story laid a good foundation and some good interactions between the additional people.  However there were times it felt like the story slowed down quite a bit.  I did like how it ended and with a H.E.A. included.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

**Book Review- Deception (Natchez Trace Park Rangers #4) by Patricia Bradley

   

Description

After being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense while working in the violent crimes unit for the Investigative Services Branch, ranger Madison Thorn is comfortable with her move to the fraud and cyber division. At least numbers don't lie. So she's less than thrilled when a white-collar crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi, turns violent. She could also do without being forced to work with former-childhood-enemy-turned-infuriatingly-handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.

When a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked on the same night Madison's grandfather is shot, it becomes clear that there is something much bigger going on here and that Madison herself is in danger. Madison and Clayton will have to work together--and suppress their growing feelings for one another--if they are to discover the truth before it's too late.

 AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

What a really good story this was. And the opening chapter of Madison's life was pretty darn dramatic.  The story was like a three ring circus.  But I mean that in the best possible way.  Surprise after surprise pops up like a Jack-in-a box.  But it was woven together so well that it doesn't feel choppy, or distracting at all. 

I really enjoyed stoic Madison who was so good at her job.  She has made enemies along the way, even though that wasn't her intention.  There is so much more to Madison than just that stoic exterior.  It was hurtful to see just how that hiding her feelings came from her very dysfunctional childhood.  And it was a "gift" that just kept on giving.  The emotional pull of the story was so well done and not just on Madison's behalf.  

Clayton had his own share of troubles and hurts that once again is so well played out. It wasn't afraid to point out his flaws and struggles too.  His reliance on God to get through the tough things was also a part of the story and will help others too.  I liked that this was not crammed down anyone's throat as some people might think.  A fact that I think is important to point out to non-Christians.  The story is just too good to miss. Also add in a sweet romance and we're good.

Madison's grandfather was keeping some BIG secrets but his love for his granddaughter was big too.  There are additional people in the story who really keep things moving.  Some in really good ways and others well, they have secrets to protect. 

I liked how the story ended with so many things revealed and some really bright futures for more than two people.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

 

Netgalley