"TARGET ACQUIRED" BY LYNETTE EASON - NEW RELEASE PREVIEW REVIEW

"Target Acquired" by Lynette Eason

🔍Book Blurb:

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?

The book blurb and cover seen above came from Amazon.com, where you can sample the prologue and first 2 chapters.

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Released just last month (August, 2024), Target Acquired is Lynette Eason's newest book. This is the second book in the Lake City Heroes series, of which I believe each book can be read as a standalone.

I just previewed the first pages of this book and here are my thoughts.

The Prologue is set in an overcrowded mental hospital in North Carolina, in the summer of 1947, such an interesting and eerie setting!

Eliza, a new patient asks, "Who was screaming all night long? Such wretched screaming. My ears are still ringing with it." To which her nurse replies, "It's just the way of this place. You'll learn to ignore it." - Not sure I could ever get used to that! So creepy! And something about how 22-year-old Eliza ended up in this hospital and her treatment is very suspicious. I'm very interested in learning more about this!

Chapter One is set in the same location, present day, and follows a SWAT team on a mission to save lives in an intense hostage situation. At this point I'm guessing Sergeant Cole Garrison is going to be my favorite character in this book.

After finishing Chapter Two, I'm enjoying the prose, feeling connected to some of the characters, and really wondering how the present day will be tied to the 1947 scene.

I'll be posting my full review of Target Acquired on Goodreads and other platforms as soon as I finish it.

Note: I received a free digital ARC copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley, for which I am SO grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

"HIDDEN IN THE NIGHT" BY ELIZABETH GODDARD - NEW RELEASE PREVIEW

Note: I do not like seeing identifiable people on book covers, especially faces.

"Hidden in the Night" by Elizabeth Goddard

🔍Book Blurb:

At the behest of her ailing mother, former FBI special agent turned rare-book collector Ivy Elliott arrives in Alaska to secure an unpublished Jack London manuscript kept secreted away for decades. But when she arrives, she learns the manuscript is gone--taken by the granddaughter of the woman who possessed it. Ivy sets off in pursuit, not just to save the manuscript but to save the vulnerable girl, who was previously trafficked and has no idea what she's getting herself into.
 
Joining forces with Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long, Ivy must battle a blizzard, sabotage, and the worst of an Alaskan winter as the search goes on. But every answer they find only raises more questions--and the danger to their lives and to the missing girl may only be the tip of the iceberg.

The book blurb and cover seen above came from Amazon.com, where you can sample the first 4+ chapters.

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Released this month (June, 2024), Hidden in the Night is Elizabeth Goddard's newest book. This is the third and final book in the Missing in Alaska trilogy, of which each book can be read as a standalone.

This book opens just prior to Chapter One with the official Alaska State Troopers' Creed, which I absolutely LOVE! This drew me in immediately, and the first two chapters did not disappoint. Quality writing, pacing, and intrigue in this book make it easy to keep turning its pages. I can't wait to learn the fate of Ivy Elliott and the missing girl and manuscript she's looking for!

If you're a fan of thrilling suspense with a good clean love story on the side, I highly recommend checking out this book and the other works of Elizabeth Goddard, one of my favorite authors.

I'll be posting my full review of Hidden in the Night on Goodreads and other platforms as soon as I finish it.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Revell, for which I am SO grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

"INTO THE FIRE" BY IRENE HANNON - NEW RELEASE PREVIEW

 

"Into the Fire" by Irene Hannon

🔍Book Blurb:

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the danger escalates. But will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?

The book blurb and cover seen above came from Amazon.com, where you can sample the first 3+ chapters.

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Into the Fire is the most recently released book by Irene Hannon, one of my all-time favorite suspense authors. 

Prologue Opening Lines: 

FIRE WAS CLEANSING. SACRIFICIAL, ALMOST.

And soon . . . very soon . . . the flames would come.

But first, my souvenir.

That opening really grabbed my attention and told me right away that this is a first-person account of a killer, likely a serial killer that loves fire, who's about to do something bad, really bad . . . Such a creepy scene!

Chapter One Opening Line: 

ARSON INVESTIGATORS WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO DIE IN FIRES.

The first chapter shifts to a third-person perspective, five months after the prologue scene, now following the investigation of a very suspicious house fire in which an experienced arson investigator was killed . . .  Great intro! I'M HOOKED and will be posting my full review of this book on Goodreads as soon as I finish reading it.

I received a free copy of this book from Revell, which I am SO grateful for, and these are my honest thoughts.

"SHADOWS AT DUSK" BY ELIZABETH GODDARD - NEW RELEASE

Note: I do not like seeing identifiable people on book covers, especially faces.

"Shadows at Dusk" by Elizabeth Goddard

🔍Book Blurb:

Montana Detective Trevor West is desperate to learn what happened to his sister, who went missing in Alaska over a year ago, leaving nothing but a few photographs as clues to her whereabouts. At the advice of Police Chief Autumn Long, Trevor enlists the help of an experienced bush pilot. If Carrie James can't help him find the places in the photographs, no one can.

But Carrie has her own agenda. Grieving the death of her closest friend and the only person she could trust, Carrie will help Trevor find his sister on one condition--that he help her track down her friend's killer.

As the two close in on the answers they crave, they'll face dangers and connections they could not have imagined. They'll have to learn to trust one another--and face the dark secrets of the past--if they are ever to discover the truth and bring a killer to justice.

The book blurb and cover seen above came from Amazon.com, where you can sample the first 4+ chapters.

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Shadows at Dusk is Elizabeth Goddard's newest book, released just last month (October, 2023). This is the second book in the Missing in Alaska series. I've been a big fan of this author since reading her Uncommon Justice trilogy in 2020, which I really loved! I highly recommend reading anything by this author if you like clean romantic suspense.

Now, it's time to do a bit of reading . . .

Prologue Opening Lines:

The old cargo plane vibrated as the pilate descended into the airdrop zone, the turbulence shuddering through Carrie James. She braced herself on a bench a few feet from the secured freight—emergency supplies that could mean the difference between life and death in a food-starved, war-torn country.

"UNDER FIRE" BY LYNN H. BLACKBURN

 

"Under Fire" by Lynn H. Blackburn

Book Blurb:

USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend--and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.

Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light.

Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?

Sparks fly as award-winning romantic suspense writer Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her Defend and Protect series with this explosive tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and relationships restored.

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My Initial Thoughts:

Released this month (March, 2023), Under Fire is the third and final book of the Defend and Protect series.

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for sending me a free digital ARC copy of this book to read and help promote! Considering the trouble I've had accessing this ebook, here are my thoughts on the first two chapters, which I read via Amazon's free preview.

First line: "US Secret Service Agent Tessa Reed was no stranger to hangovers."

I'm not crazy about the opening line implying that one of the main characters is a drunk. That said, it's made clear by the end of chapter one and much clearer by the end of chapter two that this character, Tessa, is in big trouble, trouble that has already cost her a lot and will cost her everything if she doesn't make some serious changes soon. There's obviously going to be a strong redemption story here, which I'm always a fan of.

US Secret Service Agent Zane Thacker is a character that I can relate to in several ways. I look forward to learning more of his and Tessa's stories.

Now that it's complete, I'm planning a buddy read around this series and will post my final reviews on Goodreads. 😊

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

NEW RELEASE: "TARGETED" BY EASON, BLACKBURN, & WALTERS

Targeted by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, & Natalie Walters

🔍Book Blurb:

Three women. Three men. Three unsuspecting targets.

In On the Run, IT Specialist Daria Nevsky is a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead--and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone.

In Deadly Objective, physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper are committed to keeping their relationship professional. But when the vice president's son enters the crosshairs of a killer, some lines will have to be crossed in order to keep him safe.

In Caught in the Crosshairs, there is no love lost between former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman and CIA officer Claudia Gallegos after Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. But to prevent a coup that would put America at risk, they'll have to learn to trust each other--before it's too late.

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Three separate novellas in one book by three incredibly popular romantic suspense authors, Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters. This book's November 1st release has been highly anticipated by me and my friends, and we've made plans to read it together in December, after which I will post my thoughts of it in a full review.

Note: Thank you so much Revell for sending me a free Advance Reader Copy of this book!

Credits: The book blurb and cover seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com, where Targeted can be purchased.

UPDATE: I just learned that while the three novellas in Targeted can be read and enjoyed on their own as standalones, they feature side characters from other series.

*On the Run by Lynette Eason is tied to her Blue Justice series. *Deadly Objective by Lynn H. Blackburn is tied to her Defend and Protect series. *Caught in the Crosshairs by Natalie Walters is tied to her Harbored Secrets series. So... considering I have yet to read those series, I'm leaning toward reading all of those books and Targeted in 2023.

CURRENTLY READING: "BODY OF EVIDENCE" BY IRENE HANNON

Body of Evidence by Irene Hannon

🔍Book Blurb:

Forensic pathologist Grace Reilly has seen her share of unusual deaths in rural Missouri. But when she begins to notice a curious pattern in autopsies of elderly residents whose demise appears to be natural, she takes her concerns to Sheriff Nate Cox. 

Nate is skeptical about the link Grace is seeing between the deaths--and her suspicions of foul play. But her persistence is compelling. Once she finally convinces him her theory is credible and they join forces to investigate, danger follows. Because exposing the truth could destroy several lives--including Grace's.

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Opening Lines: Someone was in the mortuary prep room. Someone besides her and the body in the cooler awaiting tomorrow's autopsy. Someone who shouldn't be here.

🔍My Thoughts:

Body of Evidence is a recently released book by Irene Hannon, who has been one of my favorite authors since I first read her Private Justice trilogy in May-June of 2017, after which I promised myself that I would read all of her books.

This is the third book in the Triple Threat romantic suspense series, which I am currently reading and like the first two books, I found the opening chapters of Body of Evidence to catch and hold my attention with intriguing character and plot introductions, as I've come to expect with this author known as a Queen of inspirational romantic suspense. I now can't wait to read the rest of this book!

My ⭐ Rating: TBD

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Revell, for which I am incredibly grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

Credits: The book blurb and cover seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com, where this book can be purchased.

NEW RELEASE... "CRITICAL ALLIANCE" BY ELIZABETH GODDARD

 

"Critical Alliance" by Elizabeth Goddard

Book Blurb:

Mackenzie Hanson's special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father's tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he's trying to relax, he's drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common--a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need--before someone silences Mackenzie for good.

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My Initial Thoughts:

#CriticalAlliance by #ElizabethGoddard was released Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 and is the third and final installment of the Rocky Mountain Courage series. I am currently reading this book and could tell within its beginning pages that I am going to love it! Goddard is such a talented story teller and paints scenes with the perfect amount of description to bring the story to life in my mind, and the mysteries and writing style makes it easy to get lost in the story and keep reading page after page without abandon. This has become one of my favorite authors in the last two years!

Please let me know if you'd like to buddy read any of this author's books with me. 🙂

Thank you so much @revellbooks for including me in this book launch and gifting me a copy of this book! 💛

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

NEW RELEASE... "AMONG THE INNOCENT" BY MARY ALFORD

"Among the Innocent" by Mary Alford

Book Blurb:

When Leah Miller's entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah left the Amish and joined the police force. Now, after another Amish woman is found murdered with the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family's deaths.

As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they can't help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning. Could it be that the former police chief framed an innocent man to keep the biggest secret of all buried? And what will it mean for Leah--and Dalton--when the full truth comes to light?

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My Initial Thoughts:

#AmongtheInnocent by #MaryAlford was released Tuesday, June 7th, 2022. I previewed the first few pages and so far the writing style seems easy and enjoyable to read. This being a suspenseful serial killer murder mystery with Amish and romantic elements, I so look forward to reading this book this summer and hope to get others to read and discuss it with me!

Thank you so much to the author and @revellbooks for including me in this book launch and gifting me a copy of this book! 💛

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

Book Release Day! Jaime Jo Wright's "The Souls of Lost Lake"

Book Release Day! “The Souls of Lost Lake” is now available! I’m currently reading this and LOVING IT!

It’s a dark stormy day here in the south east, and what better way to spend it than reading a new eerie book by one of my all-time favorite authors, @JaimeJoWright! I’m so incredibly grateful to be a part of this book’s launch team!

My full review of this book will soon be posted on this blog and at Goodreads.

"MALICIOUS INTENT" BY LYNN H. BLACKBURN

"Malicious Intent" by Lynn H. Blackburn

Book Blurb:

Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been heralded by government, medical, and advocacy groups and everyone hopes the device will be a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the launch, but to what purpose--and how far will they go to get what they want? 

Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again, Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

Perfectly balancing chilling suspense and uplifting romance, award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn delivers a story of revenge, greed, and overcoming that you won't want to put down no matter how late it gets.

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My Initial Thoughts:

I'm so grateful to have received a free ARC copy of this newly released (March, 2022) book from it's publisher! These are my honest initial thoughts of "Malicious Intent."

At first glance, I love this book's cover and romantic suspense genre! Having read its first two chapters, I am already getting a good sense that I am going to enjoy this book! Its beginning pages do a great job setting the scene described in the blurb, starting with an intense situation that has left me wanting to know more about the characters and their stories. Being the second book in the Defend and Protect series, I am temporarily setting this book aside to return to once I've read the first book in the series.

This author comes highly recommended to me by my friends with similar reading interests, and I can't wait to read more of Blackburn's work!

My ⭐ Rating: TBD

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"THE PRINCE AND THE PRODIGAL" BY JILL EILEEN SMITH

"The Prince and the Prodigal" by Jill Eileen Smith

Book Blurb:

Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith brings her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture--a story of jealousy, betrayal, and a reconciliation that only God could bring about.

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My Thoughts:

This author is new to me and so is the biblical fiction genre. This book brings the biblical stories of the prodigal son and of Joseph and Judah (sons of Jacob) to life! I highly recommend reading those stories in the bible just before reading this book to gain better understanding of them. 

After reading its beginning pages, this book seems written in a way that is easy to understand and captures the imagery of biblical times. I look forward to reading this book in full with friends in my book club and discussing how it compares to scripture, after which I will update this review.

Note: I received a free advance review copy of this book from its publisher, for which I am extremely grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

My ⭐ Rating: TBD

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"THE LADY OF GALWAY MANOR" BY JENNIFER DEIBEL

 

"The Lady of Galway Manor" by Jennifer Deibel

Book Blurb:

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the "lies" the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.

Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.

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My Thoughts:

Although this isn't a genre I typically gravitate toward (historical romance fiction), I really enjoyed this book! Without spoiling anything, this is a beautifully told story of conflict, heartache, love, and redemption. I loved the Ireland setting, Anna's views of the world around her, and the growing relationships between Anna, Seamus, and Stephen. The characters are well developed and easy to become invested in. Seamus is definitely my favorite character—I’d love to have him as a father-in-law! I'm now interested in reading more books by this author.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from its publisher, for which I am extremely grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

My ⭐ Rating: 4 stars

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"CROSSHAIRS" BY PATRICIA BRADLEY

 Crosshairs by Patricia Bradley

🔍Book Blurb:

Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target--nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

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🔍My Thoughts:

A recent release, Crosshairs is the third and final book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers romantic suspense trilogy.

My father died a little over two weeks ago, after about a month of being in the hospital with various health problems, including strokes, COVID, pnemonia, and organ failure. With this and everything that's been going on with my family and me, I've been in a terrible reading slump recently.

That being said, I read the first chapter of this book and with the author's beautiful writing style, I can see easily getting lost in its pages, in a good way. This author is new to me, however I've been wanting to read her books for some time, many of which my friends have read, liked, and recommended. I will update this post with more in depth thoughts as soon as I'm able to read Crosshairs in its entirety.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Revell, for which I am extremely grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"DEADLY TARGET" BY ELIZABETH GODDARD

 

Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard

🔍Book Blurb:

Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.

Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.

As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.

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🔍My Thoughts:

Deadly Target is the second book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. This is a new release by one of my more recent favorite authors, Elizabeth Goddard. I became a fan of hers when I read her Uncommon Justice trilogy last year (2020), which I loved! I highly recommend reading anything by this author if you like clean suspense with a touch of romance.

My father died a little over two weeks ago, after about a month of being in the hospital with various health problems, including strokes, COVID, pneumonia, and organ failure. With this and everything that's been going on with my family and me, I've been in a terrible reading slump recently.

That being said, I read the first chapter of this book and it is well written and very intriguing so far, as expected. I look forward to reading this book in its entirety very much and will update this post with more in depth thoughts as soon as I do.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Revell, for which I am extremely grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"LABYRINTH OF LIES" BY IRENE HANNON

Labyrinth of Lies by Irene Hannon

🔍Book Blurb:

When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls' boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn't take her long to realize that beneath the veneer of polish and wealth, things are not as they seem at Ivy Hill Academy. But the biggest surprise of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the school.

Zeke Sloan has never forgotten Cate, but now isn't the best time for their paths to cross again. When their two seemingly disparate agendas begin to intertwine--and startling connections emerge among the players--the danger escalates significantly. But who is the mastermind behind the elaborate ruse? And how far will they go to protect their house of cards?

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🔍My Thoughts:

Here's a newly released book by one of my favorite authors, Irene Hannon. I have been a fan of hers since I first read her Private Justice trilogy in May-June of 2017, after which I vowed to read all of her books.

Labyrinth of Lies is the second book in the Triple Threat romantic suspense series, which I am currently reading. Like the first book, the opening chapters of Labyrinth of Lies grabbed and held my attention, just as I expected with an author I love so much. I now can't wait to read the rest of this book and the third book in its series upon its release.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Revell, for which I am extremely grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

Credits: The book blurb and cover seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"A LADY IN ATTENDANCE" BY RACHEL FORDHAM

"A Lady in Attendance" by Rachel Fordham

🔍Book Blurb:

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.

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🔍My Thoughts:

There is a quote at the beginning of this book by C. S. Lewis that says, "To love at all is to be vulnerable." This is so true. I have only read the first three chapters of this book so far and I can already tell this is going to be a touching story of friendship, vulnerability, love, and redemption. Rachel has clearly made some mistakes in her past that she regrets wholeheartedly, and while she has learned many lessons and has become such a good person, she fears being judged by the person she used to be. This is very relatable. I'm enjoying the writing style in this book and look forward to reading more about Rachel's story.

Thank you so much @RevellBooks for my gifted copy and allowing me to be a part of this book’s launch team!

My ⭐ Rating: TBD

Credits: The cover photo and book blurb seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"ALONG A STORIED TRAIL" BY ANN H. GABHART

  

"Along a Storied Trail" by Ann H. Gabhart

🔍Book Blurb:

Kentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn’t mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her Appalachian mountain community during the Great Depression. Yet she longs to find love like the heroines in her books. When a charming writer comes to town, she thinks she might have found it–or is the perfect man actually closer than she thinks?

Perdita Sweet has called these mountains home for so long she’s nearly as rocky as the soil around her small cabin. Long ago she thought she could love, but when the object of her affection up and married someone else, she stopped giving too much of herself away to others.

As is so often the case, it’s easier to see what’s best for others than to see what’s best for oneself, and Perdita knows who Tansy should choose. But why would anyone listen to the romantic advice of an old spinster?

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🔍My Thoughts:

Set in the Appalachian mountains during the 1930s, with a librarian main character who delivers books to her rural community on horseback… I’m in! This is the first time I've heard of packhorse librarians and I now want to learn as much as I can about them.

Released this month (June, 2021), “Along a Storied Trail” by Ann H. Gabhart sounds like such an interesting book that I really look forward to reading!

Thank you so much @AnnHGabhart and @RevellBooks for my gifted copy and allowing me to be a part of this book’s launch team!

My ⭐ Rating: TBD

Credits: The book blurb seen in this post is courtesy of Amazon.com.