An Honorable Deception ~ Review

An Honorable Deception

The Imposters #3

By Roseanna M. White

This was such a good read. I loved finally getting Yates's story, and as an added bonus, we got more of Lavinia. But in between and all around it, we have a bigger story. A story that has serious implications throughout the nobility. 

The Imposters receive a plea for help. Lady Alethia Barremore's former Indian nanny has disappeared. Worse, an acquaintance who had information has gone missing. Then, someone attacks Alethia just following her meeting with Yates, leaving her to die.

Yes, the Imposters have a case before them—a case that has potentially far-reaching consequences and paints some of the nobility in a less-than-stellar light. When Lavinia stumbles upon her dear friends' long-kept secret, though, she offers to help as Marigold and Gemma's participation is limited. 

This is the final book in The Imposters series and, in my opinion, the best. It was interesting how the past had to be confronted in this book. For several of the characters it was distorting their perceptions of themselves and keeping them from the futures they were being offered. I think my favorite part was when some of my favorite characters from the author's previous series made an appearance. This was overall a good book that touched on some serious concerns. I think this book reads better when read in series order, though you could read and enjoy it as a standalone title.

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:

As the leader of elite private investigative firm the Imposters, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon dangerous secrets.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects there's more to her oldest friends than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. Happy as she is for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing to bring laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the bad side of her best friend, his sister.

Tormented by a past that she doesn't dare to voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the darkest of society's secrets, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia soon learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . and truth isn't always honorable.

Terminal Danger ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Terminal Danger 

Terminal Danger

Guardians Unleashed #5

By Jerusha Agen

Phoenix Gray has spent most of her life on this cold case. She is going to be sure justice is served on the serial killer she has long sought. She has set the perfect trap for him, and she's the bait. 

What Phoenix didn't anticipate was Callum Ross, an FBI agent called in to help with tracking down the killer's latest target. He somehow gets how Phoenix thinks; because he understands her, he could be a distraction and a danger to her plans.

In Terminal Danger, we finally get Phoenix's story—a story that no one knows. It is not pretty and has shaped her into the unreadable woman she is today—disconnected from her emotions. She has turned her back on God. He wasn't there when she needed Him, so why should she believe? Callum should understand where she's coming from, but what he's seen and experienced hasn't turned him from God. 

This time, Phoenix may need the women she has employed with Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency more than she ever expected. The time for secrets has ended, or this case could destroy her. More than anything else, Phoenix needs to find her way to God. And learn that forgiveness is more for the person wronged than anything else.

This book can be read as a standalone title, but since it concludes the series, it is best read and enjoyed in order. If you enjoy suspense and books that examine the human spirit, you will want to delve into this book and series. 

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

Title: Terminal Danger

Series: Guardians Unleashed #5
Author: Jerusha Agen
Publisher: SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: October 24, 2024
Genre: Christian romantic suspense

This woman and her K-9 are being hunted.  

Exactly as she planned. 

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured. 

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve. 

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

     

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About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies.

Connect with Jerusha by visiting jerushaagen.com to find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting stories, follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of Terminal Danger, a Terminal Danger mug, $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, Terminal Danger magnet, plus more swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 28, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 4, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Murder in Highbury ~ Review

Murder in Highbury

A Emma Knightly Mystery#1

By Vanessa Kelly

Emma Woodhouse is no more, rather she is Emma Knightley, newly married, and enjoying life in Highbury. But in an instant everything is disrupted when she and Harriet (Smith) Martin find a body in the church. If finding a body wasn't shocking enough the identity is even more so, Mrs. Elton is dead! And Emma is convinced she was murdered even before anyone else has been summoned or the inquest is held. Highbury's idealic charm is shattered with fears that a murderer is now in their midst.  

Fearing that justice won't find the true killer, Emma flaunts expectations and takes it upon herself to find the killer. With the skills she formerly employed as a matchmaker she turns to sluething. 

Murder in Highbury is the next chapter in the life of Emma Woodhouse and all the characters who called Highbury home. This was a fun read mostly, excepting for Mrs, Elton. There is a familiarity with the characters. The writing makes this feel like this the next logical step in the lives of the people one got to know while enjoying Jame Austen's original work Emma. An enjoyable read for fans of Jane Ausen or Regency who-dunits. This easily a potential reread, in my opinion. I look forward to the second book in this series.

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:

First in a captivating new series, Jane Austen’s Emma Knightley entertains a different role in Highbury—going from clever matchmaker to Regency England’s shrewdest sleuth.

Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father’s health . . .  

But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife, has been discarded on the altar steps—the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . .  

As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma—armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections—realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.

ADVANCE PRAISE

• “Brimming with all the wit and charm one can expect from a visit to Jane Austen’s world, Murder in Highbury presents Austen’s beloved and interfering character Emma with a murder. When Emma puts her clever wits to use to discover the murderer who hides among them, danger and humor mingle to provide us with mystery, delight, and a clever new sleuth. Author Vanessa Kelly writes with an experienced touch and clear fondness for her well-beloved characters, giving us the sequel we formerly could merely long for and imagine.”— Christina Dodd, New York Times bestselling author.

About the Author:

Vanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph. D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband.

Terminal Danger ~ Review

Terminal Danger

Guardians Unleashed #5

By Jerusha Agen

Phoenix Gray has spent most of her life on this cold case. She is going to be sure justice is served on the serial killer she has long sought. She has set the perfect trap for him, and she's the bait. 

What Phoenix didn't anticipate was Callum Ross, an FBI agent called in to help with tracking down the killer's latest target. He somehow gets how Phoenix thinks; because he understands her, he could be a distraction and a danger to her plans.

In Terminal Danger, we finally get Phoenix's story—a story that no one knows. It is not pretty and has shaped her into the unreadable woman she is today—disconnected from her emotions. She has turned her back on God. He wasn't there when she needed Him, so why should she believe? Callum should understand where she's coming from, but what he's seen and experienced hasn't turned him from God. 

This time, Phoenix may need the women she has employed with Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency more than she ever expected. The time for secrets has ended, or this case could destroy her. 

This book can be read as a standalone title, but since it concludes the series, it is best read and enjoyed in order. If you enjoy suspense and books that examine the human spirit, you will want to delve into this book and series. 

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:

This woman and her K-9 are being hunted. 

Exactly as she planned.

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured.

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve.

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain?

Terminal Danger concludes the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1). (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

Praise for Jerusha Agen:

"Jerusha Agen once again delivers top-level suspense and thrilling action. Fast-paced suspense at its best.”
– DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of Concrete Evidence on Covert Danger

"Fast-paced, explosive thriller. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."
– Carrie Stuart Parks, award-winning, bestselling author of Relative Silence on Rising Danger

70 North ~ Review

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 

70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

70 North 

Alaskan Cyber Hunters #3 

By Kimberley Woodhouse

 

They thought he was dead. But they were wrong. He has been biding his time, preparing for his final attack when he would get rid of the corrupt leadership. He sees the truth of everything in a way no one else is capable of. And he won't let David MacPherson stop him. No, he'll taunt the man determined to bring him down. Destroying those around him merely for the thrill of it.

 

Mac will never stop his search for the man who killed his wife and daughter during a cyberattack on Fairbanks. With the help of his friends at Cyber Solutions, "Griz" will lose. But they will have to help Tracie Hunter restore her reputation. A reputation destroyed because she saved Mac's life after he was shot. 

 

But how do you stop a delusional, highly intelligent psychopath? That's a question they will have to answer before Griz unleashes his "final judgment."

This was an intriguing series conclusion. I felt that the first few chapters dragged. But once the story got into, it picked up and became the page turner I was expecting. I will admit the very possibility of this even being a thing is more than a little scary, which I think added to the suspense of the read. This series must be read in order to fully experience it. Skipping a book is not an option, as each builds on the one before.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and thrillers. This is not a book to be read late at night unless you plan to avoid sleeping because you won't want to put it down once you start.

 

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

About the Book

Title: 70 North 

Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #3 

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: October 15, 2024 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

The Cyber Solutions team has managed to stay one step ahead of the madman who has killed so many. From the original 26 Below cyberattack in Fairbanks to the 8 DOWN serial murders in Anchorage and beyond, they matched wits with the killer and stopped him from reaching his ultimate goals.

But final judgment is coming. And this time, there may be no defeating him. 

David "Mac" McPherson has a personal stake in making sure this predator stays down for good. His family died in the cyberattack. Mac knows that God says "vengeance is mine"—but surely an exception can be made. 

Surgeon Tracie Hunter is determined to stay sober and keep saving lives in Fairbanks, Alaska—even if it means being a little obsessive. After all, that same kind of determination is how she kept Mac alive after the murderer targeted him. And she won't let Mac run himself into the grave looking for payback; he's come to mean too much to her. 

Then someone hacks into the system at Tracie's previous job as a medical examiner and frames her in a murder cover-up. There's no one else skilled enough to create a digital trail this incriminating—the killer is back in action, exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses to destroy lives. Can Mac stay focused and stop the next attack when his own vulnerability is exposed? Or will his need to make someone pay for his pain allow the maniac to pull ahead and win at last?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books from this Series: 

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About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now lives and writes in Colorado where she's traded in her hat of "Craziest Mom" for "Nana the Great."

Connect with Kimberley by visiting kimberleywoodhouse.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

 

 

 

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of 70 North and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 16, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 23, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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The Sign of the Calico Quartz ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

The Sign of the Calico Quartz audiobook by Jan Drexler, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Sign of the Calico Quartz

The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries #1

By Jan Drexler

Narrated by Gillian Wiggin

After working all over the world, the Sweetbrier Inn in the Black Hills seems like the perfect change of pace to Emma Blackwood. The chance to get to know her Aunt Rose is a bonus. Everything seems perfect, even with the grumpy chef, that is until she finds a body in her room.

Emma is sure she can help Deputy Sheriff Cal find the killer. Cal is less sure, and everyone is a suspect, even Emma, until she's not. 

Solving a murder isn't as easy as Emma thought it would be. Especially when more murders occur. And there are several suspects in Emma's opinion. But who is most likely the murderer? Emma just needs to dig deeper with her new friend, Becky. She's sure together they can figure it out.

This is definitely a cozy mystery. There is a warm feeling throughout even though there are bodies to contend with. I love the interactions between Cal and Emma. And I absolutely adore Thatcher, everything is better when there are dogs involved.  

The narration by Gillian Wiggin is great. There are shifts in the reading when the dialogue switches between characters, making it easy to follow. The story is well paced and engaging. At just over seven and a quarter hours it is the perfect length of a commute or an all day listen. 

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

About the Book

Title: The Sign of the Calico Quartz
Series: The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries
Author: Jan Drexler
Narrator: Gillian Wiggin
Publisher: Swift Wings Press
Audiobook Release Date: July 24, 2024
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Solving a murder is easy, right? All you need to do is follow the clues, and they will lead you to the culprit. 

 At least that’s what Emma Blackwood thought before she and her cat, Tim, came to the Black Hills to work in Aunt Rose’s Sweetbrier Inn. Before she found a dead body in her living room. Before the hunky Deputy Sheriff accused her of murdering the poor guy. And before the real killer put her name on their list of victims. 

For this fan of Agatha Christie and a plethora of television crime dramas, it’s an intriguing situation that demands her skills. Investigating might not be as simple as it looks in fictional mysteries, but Emma’s organized mind and OCD tendencies start making sense of the clues…until she finds a second body with no apparent connection to the first. 

Sifting through evidence is easier with the help of her new friend, Becky, who provides baked goods for the inn, and Aunt Rose is always willing to take time from writing her mysterious memoirs to give support and advice. Wil, the inn’s chef, moves things along with a barbed comment or two, and Tim the cat and Rose’s corgi, Thatcher, make themselves available for fuzz therapy and to point the way to another clue. 

The list of suspects grows as Emma learns more about the inn’s guests and their reasons for visiting the Black Hills. From the honeymoon couple to Mysterious Montgomery, to the famous reality show ghost hunter, to the gold seekers, no one is the person they appear to be. Even Rose’s good friend Clara is hiding secrets in her pink chenille bathrobe. 

But as Emma pursues the investigation, things start to get personal. Can she identify the murderer before disaster strikes?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon (Audiobook)| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books In This Series

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About the Author

Jan Drexler lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband, where she enjoys hiking and spending time with her family. She spins stories of History, Mystery, and Sweet Romance. Her works include several historical romance novels, including the award-winning Mattie’s Pledge, and The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries cozy mystery series.

Connect with Jan by visiting jandrexler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. Those who sign up for her newsletter will receive a free e-book copy of The Sign of the Calico Quartz!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) One winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight October 8, 2024, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 15, 2024. 

Winners 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.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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K-9 Ranch Ranch Protection ~ Review with Excerpt and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for K-9 Ranch Protection 

by Darlene L. Turner, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

K-9 Ranch Protection

Crisis Rescue Team #6

By Darlene L. Turner

Ten years ago, Austin Murray froze, costing Izzy Tremblay her best friend's life. Now, Austin may be Izzy's only hope of living and finding her father's killer. 

The killer knows Izzy is working unofficially to find the truth, and he has access to systems he shouldn't be able to touch. Now, he's using technology to help him track her. Worse he knows things about her that he shouldn't.

When an attack wipes three hours of memories from her brain, Izzy is left vulnerable. Could she have seen or done something that could bring a resolution to this case? Only time will tell if her perfect memory can be restored. If Austin can keep her safe. 

Determined to keep Izzy safe, Austin offers his ranch as a hideaway. What could be safer? Hidden away on a ranch with an ex-partner she hasn't had contact with for a decade and a barn full of K-9s in training. There is just one little problem - keeping their hearts safe. But this is Love Inspired Suspense so I'll let you draw your own conclusions in the heart department. 

Altogether, this is a good read. It doesn't contain any graphic material, which is how I like my books. So, if you love suspense that doesn't give you nightmares and romance that doesn't leave you feeling icky, give K-9 Ranch Protection a chance. 

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

Title: K-9 Ranch Protection
Series: Crisis Rescue Team #6
Author: Darlene L Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

A killer on the loose. 

A K-9 keeping watch. 

Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. The ambush leaves her in the hospital with three hours of crucial memory missing, which she knows holds the key to finding her father’s murderer. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Harlequin | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books In This Series

   

   

Excerpt:

Izzy observed the malamute. “She’s not a protection dog, right?”

“No, but she senses danger from the other two and likes you. I need to follow the dogs.
Evacuate.” Austin ran toward the station’s front office where Goose and Thor had headed.

“Not a chance.” Izzy followed with Névé at her heels.

Constables and HRPD’s civilian staff hustled to the exit. Their tortured expressions revealed
everyone’s horror. Izzy couldn’t remember a time when their station had been attacked in this
magnitude.

Was it all her fault?

Thor’s heightened bark cut off her thoughts.

Izzy hurried to catch up to the K-9s and Austin. She stepped inside the bullpen.

Thor sat a few feet away from a desk. Her desk.

“Thor, Goose, retreat!” Austin’s forceful commands stopped Izzy in her tracks.

It was then she noticed a backpack under her chair. A beeping filled the room, then intensified.
Izzy’s heartbeat slammed in her chest. The bomb was about to blow.

The K-9s bolted toward the entrance where Austin stood. He turned. “Get out!”

Beside her, Névé growled and latched on to her coat, tugging her back into the hallway. The
group scrambled to get away from the ticking time bomb.

They reached the exit and Austin thrust open the door, hauling her with him.

Seconds later a thunderous explosion rocked the building, sending debris pelting through the
station and out the shattered front glass doors.

The impact shoved Izzy to her knees on the snowy walkway. The attack revealed one thing.

None of them were safe.

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About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling author and lives with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

Connect with Darlene by visiting darlenelturner.com, where there’s suspense beyond borders, to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(4) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon egift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Target Acquired ~ Review

Target Acquired
Lake City Heroes #2
By Lynette Eason

I have to admit I loved this book. It has an intriguing link to the 1940s that is relevant to the present day. In fact, several threads link several crimes to the current situation Kenzie King and her SWAT team find themselves in. We know this because the book takes us back and forth between 1947 and now. 

The reader doesn't know what the link is or why it is important. Even more concerning is why the SWAT team, specifically Kenzie, is being targeted. 

In addition to the outside pressures of being a target, Kenzie is having to deal with attitudes concerning her place on the Lake City SWAT team. Rumors have a way of taking root, and Kenzie's ties have some, not just whispering but talking that her name got her in. The fact that Kenzie is pulling her weight and doing her job doesn't crush the talk.

Then there is her teammate Cole Garrison, who has mixed emotions about Kenzie. She could be the one, but he is her superior, and he takes the whole trying to keep everything professional very seriously. But when she becomes a target, his emotions and concerns for her just might make him confront his feelings.

This was another excellent read from Lynette Eason. The characters have depth, and the suspense is maintained throughout. If you are looking for a clean read, suspense. No lines are crossed as the stakes are raised. There are moments when it seems as if the perpetrator may win the day, but with a team of professionals having their backs, there is hope that they will prevail.

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:

Tough-as-nails Kenzie King has finally earned her place as a tactical medic on a SWAT team. But not everyone on the all-male team accepts her. Rumor is, she didn't get the position because of what she could do but because of who she knew. Which means she has to work harder and longer than anyone else to prove herself.

Cole Garrison is a man with deep faith who is finally ready to settle down and build a family of his own--if he can find the right person, that is. Kenzie sure has set off his interest meter, but trouble seems to follow in her wake. Since she joined the team, someone has begun to ambush and pick off team members, one by one.

It's all hands on deck to discover the culprit and end the killing. Can Kenzie and Cole put aside their differences and work together as a team? Or will their budding attraction be snuffed out by a sniper's bullet?

As you've come to expect from bestselling author Lynette Eason's stories, this tightly wound plot unfurls at breakneck speed and will leave you breathless.

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder ~ Review

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder
Countess of Harleigh Mystery #7
By Dianne Freeman 

An invitation to investigate the death of Paul Ducass, finds George and Frances heading to Paris. The police ruled it an unfortunate accident, but George's Aunt Julia is convinced it was foul play. Before the wedded duo can find the answers Lady Julia falls to her own unfortunate accident. Oh dear, a fine to-do these two sleuths find themselves in. 

With a plethora of potential suspects what are they to do? Why investigate of course. And investigating is what they do best. But along the way to discovering the truth they uncover more than one secret that can and will change everything. 

This was an interesting read and the author did an excellent job protecting her villain until the end. There several interesting elements that are so well concealed  that once they it sends the investigation into new territory with new potential suspects. 

This book is the seventh the Countess of Harpsichord series but it can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone title. The story is easy to follow, and the characters are well developed. Get ready for an engaging 20th century who-dun-it, and a disturbing number of ruined outfits. Solving murders can be just a tad dirty. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. 

About the Book:

Filled with Victorian-era intrigue for readers of Rhys Bowen, Deanna Raybourn, Tasha Alexander, and Julia Seales, Dianne Freeman’s Agatha Award-winning series takes a delightful jaunt to the City of Light as Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, encounters a murder scene at the Paris Exposition.

Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George’s Aunt Julia has requested her nephew’s help in looking into the suspicious death of renowned artist Paul Ducasse. Though Julia is not entirely forthcoming about her reasons, she is clearly a woman mourning a lost love.

At the exposition, swarming with tourists, tragedy casts a pall on the festivities. A footbridge collapses. Julia is among the casualties. However, she was not just another fateful victim. Julia was stabbed to death amid the chaos. With an official investigation at a standstill, George and Frances realize that to solve the case they must dig into Julia’s life—as well as Paul’s—and question everything and everyone in Julia’s coterie of artists and secrets.

They have no shortage of suspects. There is Paul’s inscrutable widow, Gabrielle. Paul’s art dealer and manager, Lucien. Julia’s friend Martine, a sculptress with a jealous streak. And art jurist, Monsieur Beaufoy. The investigation takes a turn when it’s revealed that George has inherited control of Julia’s estate—and another of her secrets. While George investigates, Frances safeguards their new legacy, and is drawn further into danger by a killer determined to keep the past buried.

AUTHOR BIO

Dianne Freeman is the acclaimed author of the Agatha and Lefty Award winning Countess of Harleigh Mysteries, a two-time finalist for the Macavity’s Sue Feder Memorial Award, and a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She spent thirty years working in corporate accounting and finance and now writes full-time. Born and raised in Michigan, she and her husband now split their time between Michigan and Arizona. 

Visit her at DiFreeman

Release Day! An Art Lovers Guide to Paris and Murder

It's Release Day for
An Art Lovers Guide to Paris and Murder
by Dianne Freeman!

About the Book:

Filled with Victorian-era intrigue for readers of Rhys Bowen, Deanna Raybourn, Tasha Alexander, and Julia Seales, Dianne Freeman’s Agatha Award-winning series takes a delightful jaunt to the City of Light as Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, encounters a murder scene at the Paris Exposition.

Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George’s Aunt Julia has requested her nephew’s help in looking into the suspicious death of renowned artist Paul Ducasse. Though Julia is not entirely forthcoming about her reasons, she is clearly a woman mourning a lost love.

At the exposition, swarming with tourists, tragedy casts a pall on the festivities. A footbridge collapses. Julia is among the casualties. However, she was not just another fateful victim. Julia was stabbed to death amid the chaos. With an official investigation at a standstill, George and Frances realize that to solve the case they must dig into Julia’s life—as well as Paul’s—and question everything and everyone in Julia’s coterie of artists and secrets.

They have no shortage of suspects. There is Paul’s inscrutable widow, Gabrielle. Paul’s art dealer and manager, Lucien. Julia’s friend Martine, a sculptress with a jealous streak. And art jurist, Monsieur Beaufoy. The investigation takes a turn when it’s revealed that George has inherited control of Julia’s estate—and another of her secrets. While George investigates, Frances safeguards their new legacy, and is drawn further into danger by a killer determined to keep the past buried.

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh ~ Review

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery #3

By Claudia Gray 

Narrator by Billie Fulford-Brown 

This is the third book in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery series, but this book can easily be read as a standalone series. This is set approximately 20 years following Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. 

In this mystery, Lady Catherine de Bourgh finds herself the target of murder attempts (imagine that the lady has enemies) and calls on her grand-nephew, Jonathan Darcy, son of Lizzie and Fitzwilliam Darcy. And to Jonathan's delight, Lady Catherine invites his partner in crime-solving Miss Juliet Tilney, daughter of Catherine (Morland) and Henry Tilney, to assist in the case.

This is the first case these two young sleuths have pursued while the victim still lives. They just have to keep Lady Catherine alive long enough to determine potential suspects and possible motives. No pressure there!

Add in Lady Catherine and her less-than-charming personality, and there is an overabundance of reasons to do in the Lady. Most unsatisfactory, indeed. While Juliet and Henry work the case, they try to determine where they stand with one another; a year has passed without communication between them. Are they sleuths-in-arms, friends, or something more? If their fathers have their way, the case is the only thing keeping them together, and it will be swiftly resolved. Not happening or we would be left with a most unsatisfying story.

This was an enjoyable story that will appeal to those who love historical mysteries and works that expand the world that Jane Austen shared. I must admit it was fun entering the next generations' lives. I loved how the various stories that Austen introduced us to were intertwined for this series. 

I also decided to enjoy this book as an audiobook, which was well presented. The narrator did an excellent job portraying the various characters. The audiobook, as presented, is just under 11 hours, but I played it 1.2x, which matched my reading speed and reduced the playback time by a little more than an hour.

If you are looking for something new to read, try Claudia Gray's newest historical mystery, The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

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

Check out my interview with author Claudia Gray & enter the book giveaway.

About the Book:

The third book in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series, which finds the amateur sleuths facing their most daunting challenge yet: preventing the murder of the imperious Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Someone is trying to kill Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Esteemed aunt of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, generous patroness of Mr. William Collins, a woman of rank who rules over the estate of Rosings Park with an unimpeachable sense of propriety—who would dare? Lady Catherine summons her grand-nephew, Mr. Jonathan Darcy, and his investigative companion, Miss Juliet Tilney, to find out.

After a year apart, Jonathan and Juliet are thrilled to be reunited, even if the circumstances—finding whoever has thus far sabotaged Lady Catherine's carriage, shot at her, and nearly pushed her down the stairs—are less than ideal. Also less than ideal: their respective fathers, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Henry Tilney, have accompanied the young detectives to Rosings, and the two men do not interact with the same felicity enjoyed by their children.

With attempts against Lady Catherine escalating and no one among the list of prime suspects seemingly capable of committing all of the attacks, the pressure on Jonathan and Juliet mounts—even as more gentle feelings between the two of them begin to bloom. The race is now on to provoke two confessions: one from the attempted murderer before it is too late—and one, perhaps, of love.

About the Author:

Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the author of the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mysteries, which began with The Murder of Mr. Wickham. She is also the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy; in addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline, and is one of the story architects of the High Republic series. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.

Texas Ranch Cold Case ~ Review

Texas Ranch Cold Case
Cowboy Protectors #4
By Virginia Vaughan

The mystery of her mother's disappearance has defined Ally Fulton's life. The need to know the truth is driving her to discover it. Rumors say she ran off, abandoning Ally. If only Ally could remember what happened—she knows her mother is dead and somewhere on the Harmon family ranch. She blames the Harmon family for protecting their secrets and hiding the truth about what happened that day twenty years ago. 

Tucker Harmon never wanted to return to the family ranch. Not after his grandfather refused to help him and his mother, leaving him to the abusive hand of a step-father. Unfortunately, he's also avoided his cousins. But now he has no choice but to face the past.

As Tucker aids Ally in her quest for the truth, they discover that someone doesn't want the truth to come out. Worse, this elusive someone will silence her, and they don't care who else they must eliminate to keep the past firmly in the past.

But the deeper Tucker digs the more questions that are raised. Someone is lying, and until they know why, they will have to keep looking over their shoulders. Could the suspected murderer be someone they know? Or was it someone drifting through the area? Because if Ally is to be believed, her mother never left the Harmon ranch. 

This is the final book in the Cowboy Protectors series, which features the four Harmon cousins—cousins who all lost their fathers and were abandoned by their grandfather, Chet Harmon. This book touches on Chet's death and the secrets he took to the grave. This book offers plenty of suspense as the truth dangles in front of them just out of reach.  

If you love Romantic Suspense that isn't over-the-top in graphic anything (romance or violence), you'll want to read Virginia Vaughan's Texas Ranch Cold Case. This book is the perfect length for a HOT Summer weekend. 

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:

Solving a decades-old crime

will leave no place safe…

Twenty years after her mother vanished, Ally Fulton returns to Harmon Ranch—the last place she was seen—and barely makes it out alive. Someone doesn’t want Ally digging up the truth. With a target on her back, she reluctantly accepts protection from Officer Tucker Harmon. Can he keep Ally alive—and right his family’s wrongs—before she’s silenced for good?

From Love Inspired Suspense:
Courage.

Danger.

Faith.

Cowboy Protectors
Book 1: Kidnapped in Texas
Book 2: Texas Ranch Target
Book 3: Dangerous Texas Hideout
Book 4: Texas Ranch Cold Case

The Girl From the Hidden Forest ~ Review

The Girl From the Hidden Forest

By Hannah Linder

She doesn't remember her life before the forest. But she remembers her nightmares and the beast that haunts them. Eliza Ellis calls the forest home, which is isolated with just her dog Merrylad and Captain, her father. She knows and loves her home. She dreams about the worlds that live within her books, never thinking she would ever see them. 

But when Felton Northwood steals her away from all she's known, her world is shattered. He tells her that the life she's known is a lie. For 14 years her life has been a lie. But Eliza knows the truth. Captain is her father, not some unknown viscount. And she never witnessed her mother's murder. And yet there is something familiar that nags.

Felton knows that Eliza is the key to clearing his family's name of the murder of Lady Gillingham. If only she can remember the truth he knows that the true killer will be identified and the cloud hanging over the Northwood name will be destroyed.

But nothing is ever easy and Eliza's return awakens danger - someone seems determined to keep her memories hidden away, even if it means ending her life.

Anyone who loves fiction with a Gothic feel will LOVE this book. This has forbidden romance, a displaced character, unwanted attraction, family secrets, and a beast. This book has emotional swings as Eliza tries to adjust to everything while longing for what she had. The forest and its simple, uncomplicated living calls to her. 

This book does an excellent job of concealing the true villain, and there were several likely suspects. The way the story comes together is perfect. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an excuse to stay up all night reading. This is a can't put it down book.

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.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The nightmares may free her…but destroy the man she loves.
 
Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.
 
That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.
 
When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Manor and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?
 
As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?

AUTHOR BIO

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, a 2023 Angel Book Award third-place winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments--piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele--songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, square dancing, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.

 To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com.