Protecting the Texas Witness ~ Review

Protecting the Texas Witness

Lone Star Defenders #3

By Virginia Vaughan

Isabelle Morris is fleeing from her former employer, after exposing the corruption that she uncovered; she and her daughter have been threatened. A cabin in Texas belonging to her late husband seems the perfect place to hide out until she needs to testify. But they've been discovered, and Deputy Drake Shaw is going to keep them safe.

The deputy who came to her aid reminds Isabelle of her husband, who died ten years ago. Drake insists that he isn't the man Isabelle thinks he is. But there are some similarities that Isabelle can't get past. Is the handsome detective a relative?

Protecting the Texas Witness keeps the suspense ratcheted up throughout as Isabelle fights for her life, her daughter's safety, and justice for those who were hurt by her employer's corruption. There are several mysteries in this one: who betrayed Isabelle, who is Deputy Drake Shaw, and how is her location being revealed?

This was an interesting and easy read. If you like second chances and inspired suspense, add this book to your End of Summer TBR list.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations, except that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

He has a witness to defend...

                    and their future hangs in the balance

Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant's attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Lone Star Defenders

Book 1: Dangerous Christmas Investigation
Book 2: Missing in Texas
Book 3: Protecting the Texas Witness

Traitor in the Scottish Isles ~ Review

Traitor in the Scottish Isles

Roxbury Scions #1

By Paige Edwards

This book follows Cairstie Henderson, the youngest daughter in the family, as she deals with the fallout of her ex-boyfriend being caught in a horse racing scandal. No one cares that they broke up before everything broke. Her life as a model and social media influencer is over. And her friends, not so friendly anymore. When a chance at an unexpected inheritance allows Cairstie to escape the scandal and her brother-in-law's friend Sheridan she jumps at the chance to remove herself to a remote Scottish Isle. Now she just needs to figure out how to live without all the amenities she's used to. First up, washing her own clothes and making meals.

When Sheridan turns up on the same island as Cairstie they both have a big problem. Cairstie with Sheridan's role in her recent breakup; and Sheridan because Cairstie knows his true identity, and she could blow his undercover assignment. 

But soon, both are forced to admit that there is more to the other and that their first preconceived impressions just may have been wrong. This actually a very good thing because someone is trying to kill them. And the reason behind all this suspense is because there is a traitor hidden among the locals and they could very well bring Great Britain to her knees if Cairstie and Sheridan canna figure out who is behind these attempts.   

This book had the perfect amount of tension to keep the suspense relevant in this enemies-to-lovers story. I loved seeing how Cairstie changed and grew throughout the story and would love to revisit these characters again.

About the Book:

An intercepted message. Missing MI6 agents. And a traitor hiding in plain sight.

To receive her inheritance and escape a scandal not of her making, wealthy socialite Cairstie Henderson moves to a small town in the Scottish Isles, far from the city lights and runways she frequents. There, she encounters the Irish spy responsible for the public breakup that made her the laughingstock of the Scottish Borders.

Sheridan, a hardened MI6 agent, is on an undercover assignment to locate missing operatives and the mysterious traitor passing top-secret information to the Chinese. Unfortunately, there’s one Cairstie Henderson knows his true identity—and she detests him.

But when Cairstie surprises an intruder, she seeks the one man who can protect her, Sheridan. Over time, these opposites give way to attraction that eventually blossoms into love, but with a dangerous criminal stalking their steps and intrigue around every corner, will Cairstie and Sheridan obtain their happily ever after, or will they end up dead?

Splendor of the Land is Now Available

 

It's Release Day for Connilyn Cossette's Splendor of the Land, book three in The King's Men series.

Available to purchase at the following online retailers:

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618518

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764238930

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/splendor-of-the-land-connilyn-cossette/1146440690?ean=9780764238932

Christianbook: https://www.christianbook.com/splendor-of-the-land-softcover-/9780764238932/pd/238937

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780764238932

Burning Justice ~ Review

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 

Burning Justice by Lisa Phillips 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

Burning Justice 

Chasing Fire: Alaska #6 

By Lisa Phillips 

Fifteen years ago, Maria Sanchez lost her parents, her mother murdered and her father captured. Fifteen years of her father being a pawn, a commodity to be brokered and sold. But now she is so close to getting him back. Of course, she has to do so under the cover of fighting raging wildfires in Alaska.

Kane Foster lost his life saving Marie when she was captured by the enemy, and he's been helping her search for her father ever since. Kane's not a ghost, but he's been declared dead following a betrayal. Now he needs to stop a traitor and help Marie find her father, not so easy when there are Alaskan wildfires to fight and a dangerous weapon to recover. 

Burning Justice packs a wallop in this conclusion to the multi-author Chasing Fire: Alaska series. Danger surrounds them, and it's not only Alaska that's in danger; nope, the entire nation is at risk. But to achieve victory, they'll need to depend on those around them to have their backs because what they are about to face is huge. And they can't let their hearts get in the way of doing their jobs.

To sum this book up in a sentence: Burning Justice is intense, life-threatening action in the face of treasonous betrayal and denied attraction.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book

Title: Burning Justice 

Series: Chasing Fire: Alaska #6 

Author: Lisa Phillips 

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 

Release Date: August 5, 2025 

Genre: Romantic Suspense

RESCUE. DANGER. DEVOTION.

THIS TIME, THEIR HEARTS ARE ON THE LINE. 

She's been searching for her father for fifteen years... 

Maria Sanchez has spent her entire career as a CIA operative searching for her father, and she’s not going to let some tough, arrogant former-soldier-turned-hotshot stand in her way. 

His life was upended on a single fateful mission... 

After being betrayed, branded a traitor, and declared dead, Kane Foster has a lot to prove—and he’s not going to let his team—or his country—down. Even if he has to douse the sparks between him and his feisty teammate. Because some things are more important than love. 

Now someone tell that to his heart… 

As the smoke clears on this pulse-pounding series, buried truths will be uncovered and loyalties tested in this sizzling finale to the Chasing Alaska romantic suspense series.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Sunrise Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

More in this Series:

 

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About the Author

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 90 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). As a worship leader for Calvary Chapel churches in her local area, Lisa has discovered a love for mentoring new ministry members and youth worship musicians. Discover the exciting world of Last Chance County at www.lastchancecounty.com.

Connect with Lisa by visiting www.authorlisaphillips.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Burning Justice and a $10 gift card to the Sunrise Shop!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. 

Giveaway began at midnight July 30, 2025, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 6, 2025. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond 

or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Of Shells and Serendipity ~ Release Day Review

Of Shells and Serendipity

Victorians at the Beach

By Karen M. Edwards

Elsie Abercrombie has a passion for marine biology - the shapes of the various shells she finds fascinate and intrigue her. Her interest is not looked upon favorably by any of the local eligible bachelors, or many of the ladies. Her mother can't understand why she isn't more interested in the young neighbor who is determined to marry her. 

Dr. Magnus MacPherson is teaching at the St. Andrews medical school for the summer term. Medicine is his passion, and he has dreams of providing a place of healing near his beloved home on the Isle of Skye. What Magnus didn't expect was to find a young woman to capture his attention with her wit, intelligence, vibrance, and kindness. 

I loved reading this book with its wee bit of a mystery and Elsie's determination to follow her dreams. The attitudes of the other professors, scholars, and men in general would have been disheartening. It was also interesting to see the disdain the local populace had towards new residents (aka incomers) and day trippers (those visiting for the day). I always appreciate books that include a glossary and pronunciation guide for words I am unfamiliar with, which in this book was found towards the end. Altogether a lovely read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Elspeth “Elsie” Abercrombie is a dutiful daughter—to a point. Although her mother tries to persuade her to marry a local man, Elsie prefers to study biology, especially marine animals.

Dr. Magnus MacPherson is a physician at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, and comes to St. Andrews to teach at the medical school there for the summer term. He originally planned to return home to the Isle of Skye to establish a sanatorium until a sea change happens: a chance encounter with Miss Abercrombie and it’s love at first sight.

Can Elsie and Magnus reconcile their dreams and ambitions and find a love as deep and enduring as the constant sea?

Of Shells and Serendipity is a standalone novella in the Victorians at the Beach series, where seaside meets sweet romance.

Splendor of the Land ~ Review

Splendor of the Land 

The King's Men #3

By Connilyn Cossette

Gavriel skill with working metal earned him a place as a soldier under Yonatan. But his reckless ways find him with one final chance to prove himself. When he finds himself forced to marry a stranger, Gavriel is forced to face the unwelcome truth - he has turned into the man he most despises, his dead father. And his new wife may pay the cost if he cannot change his ways.

Zahava's skill with gold is a secret; if the truth were known, she would be in danger. Her family has hidden the truth for years, and if she cannot marry a man who shares her passion for goldsmithing, she may be forced to abandon her gift. 

I find it interesting how Gavriel's past and the guilt he carries force him to step away from what he knows to be right and true. Zahava, though not in open rebellion to God, doesn't trust God or her father to know how to best provide for her future. This was a story of redemption and second chances, of letting God have control in the midst of our fears and doubts.

The Splendor of the Land is the third book in The King's Men series. It is best to read the books in order. One could read this book without reading the other books, but there would be some definite gaps in understanding the backstory. While reading this book, I was reminded of the statement, "Let go and let God." The writing was excellent in both character development and detail. One could feel Gavriel's pain and Zahava's insecurities. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy Biblical fiction.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

"A triumphant story in which flawed characters face real choices and must rely on a real God to save them."--MESU ANDREWS, bestselling and award-winning author

Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.

Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever.

Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, this exhilarating Old Testament-era tale is threaded with themes of redemption, courage, and sacrifice. This Iron Age story will appeal to readers of biblical fiction, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.

Click to Read a Free Excerpt

Final Approach ~ Review

Final Approach

Lake City Heroes #4

By Lynette Eason

Kristine Duncan is about to enjoy a vacation with her friends. She just needs to finish this flight as the onboard air marshal, and she'll be free to relax. But then everything goes wrong as a passenger attempts to hijack the plane she's on. R&R is on hold as Kristine and her friends investigate just what happened, because something is just not adding up.

The deeper Kristine and FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross dig, the more it becomes apparent that someone is targeting one of them. All the clues seem to point to Andrew's past as an undercover agent. But how does this relate to the hijacking? 

Final Approach is an intricate and deceptive mystery that has so many twists that you won't be able to easily determine who the mastermind is. And there is cheesecake, lots of it, you may want to have a slice or two on hand, because it's cheesecake. I recommend getting a couple of flavors or a sampler. This book was definitely a late-night, just-one-more-chapter read. I recommend it for Friday night if you don't get a Saturday shift. And the "villain"? Wowzers! That's all I'm saying. It is a must-read, top of the TBR stack book if you love Romantic Suspense.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

She's intent on investigating a sinister plot of revenge, and it will take all her courage to survive.

Air Marshal Kristine Duncan is not on duty when a hijacker attempts to seize control of the plane she and her friends are on as they head out on a much-needed vacation. Jumping into action and aided by FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross, Kristine thwarts the attack and the plane lands safely. But as the investigation into the incident gets underway, Kristine and Andrew are confused at every step. Nothing about the investigation goes as it should, and each layer they peel back just reveals another layer of perplexity.

As the two work together to navigate a web of deception, blame, and personal reckoning, they find there's more to this story than meets the eye--and more to love and admire about each other. They'll have to put their skills to the test--and their hearts on the line--to unravel the truth and ensure that justice prevails.