Now Or Never, Brand of Justice Series #14 by Lisa Phillips

Book description: 

With the family back together, the fight against Dominatus is on.

Since her rescue, Kenna has been harboring a secret. But her husband won’t let her bury her head in the sand and ignore their calling, so they’re back to working a case—this time in Boston. Even when a limo explodes in Washington DC, and she knows Dominatus is connected to the attack, Kenna’s fear won’t let go of her. Life now is a push/pull of doing what’s right while keeping their family safe. Justice is what happens in the middle.

As long as Kenna can keep from spilling her secret.

When allies are wrongfully accused as the perpetrators of the bombing, Kenna can’t ignore that her skills put to good use mean that justice can prevail. The case proves complex, and each step they take tangles them in more of the sticky web of Washington politics. With Jax by her side and their family surrounding her, Kenna is safe for now. But if evil prevails, their family will always be in danger. Kenna has to get her faith back on the right footing if any of this is going to succeed.

This Brand of Justice won’t quit until it’s over.

My review:
In my not so humble opinion, this may be the best book in the series so far. It is a toss up between this one and the previous book that featured Jax. This is the first book since Kenna and Jax got married that they were together for the whole book. Before they married, the together times were hit and miss, and then if you have read all the books, you know what the together times were like.

In addition to Jax and Kenna spending more time together in this book, so does the rest of Kenna's ragamuffin band. Phillips did a terrific job on creating Kenna's - and now also Jax's loyal band of merry men and women. They are all so different, and have their individual strengths, but they are all fiercely loyal to Kenna and Jax. 

There is not a wasted page or moment in this book. A lot happens, and the reader - at least this reader - had a hard time knowing who was good and bad, and downright evil. It sure made it a more interesting read. 

I like it when an author puts Christian content in their books. In this book, Kenna is a fairly new Christian, and has lost her faith because of what had happened to her in previous months. Her husband takes her to talk to an interesting friend of his - dude with no legs, previously arrested nd led to Jesus by Kenna's former FBI agent husband. The conversation between those fictional characters was something I needed to hear. God or the author might as well as put my name in there. 

The book had a great non-cliffhanger ending that still left me eager to read the next book.

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-book copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 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). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.

Check out her website for more about Lisa and her books: AuthorLisaPhillips.com 

Now Or Never releases on Kindle November 19, and according to my Amazon pre-order, the paperback is shipping in two days.

I typically picture all the previous books in a series here, but there are 13 others. So I shall feature a few. 

                                                              Book #1

Book #11

Book #13

Dark Design, The Erin Delaney Mysteries #2 by Nancy Mehl

Book description:

 As she began to lose consciousness, she realized that she'd just made a very serious mistake. . . .

She tried to call out for help, but she couldn't see anyone on the shore.

There was no one to save her.

When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has mimicked the murder portrayed in her bestselling novel, she joins her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI profiler, in Virginia. Their reunion, only a few months after fending off an eerie killer in the woods of Tennessee, is bittersweet, as Kaely has been tasked by the FBI to recruit Erin's help to identify a suspect. The FBI's team is stumped by the murderer who re-creates killings from the books of multiple authors, with only ominous notes left behind. As Erin is drawn further into the web of fear and chaos, Kaely begins to fear for Erin's safety.

On top of tracking down a murderer, Erin must shoulder the weight of a haunted past and claims that she stole the plot of her novel from one of her sources. As she struggles on multiple fronts, the enemy looms closer than ever--and Erin's life hangs in the balance.

My review:
  This author actually did it. The first book in this series really wowed me, but this one was even better, in my opinion. Though the whole Dolly Parton theme in the first book really cracked me up.

 Dark Design has a terrific plot: a serial killer killing women just like they were killed in books by different authors. Mehl really knocked it out of the park with this one. And the sly author pulled a bit of misdirection that I fell for, hook, line, and sinker. As with the first book, the author pulled Kaely Quinn Hunter from a previous series, and also her husband in this book, and I loved that. The two of them being part of the story added a lot to it. I really liked both characters from the Kaely Quinn Profiler Series, and love that the author is including them in this series.

Another thing I liked: Adrian, the police chief of Erin's town, is still in the book quite a bit, even with Erin staying with the Hunters. The action and suspense is mostly where Erin is, but the author bounces back and forth a bit between the two locations and the two characters. Mehl's last several series have little romance in, but I predict Erin and Adrian will get together in the last book. Especially now that Erin..... (read the book to find out).

There was plenty of suspense in this book to keep me happy, and I also loved the spiritual side of the story. When the series starts, and also this book, Erin is not a Christian. Adrian, Noah, and Kaely are. Mehl did a great job of sharing the Gospel in this story.

And lastly, the killer. I won't even give any hints, but I will just say I was totally shocked, and had no idea until right before something happened. I saw it coming, and laid my book down and said out loud...".....is the killer! I never saw that coming!" What a surprise. And man, did everything come out alright in the end in a simply awesome way.

Mehl proves again that it is very possible to write a thriller/suspense novel with an evil killer and bring the Gospel in and make it a redemptive story. Can't wait for #3. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Nancy Mehl lives in Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her puggle, Watson. She's authored over fifty books and is currently at work on a new FBI suspense series for Bethany House Publishing. 

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help." 

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com. She also is active on the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com and on FaceBook!

Check out the first book in The Erin Delaney Mysteries Series 

Prowl, Sanctuary Series #2 by Colleen Coble

 

Book description:

When a worker at the Sanctuary is discovered dead in the tiger enclosure, authorities assume the big cat killed her. But when the autopsy shows she was killed by a lethal dose of anesthetic delivered by a tranquilizer gun, suspicion falls on Blake Lawson, co-owner of the Sanctuary. Blake has his hands full trying to clear his name as well as get the Sanctuary finances back in the black. When a soil test turns up traces of rare earth, he's even more puzzled. Is someone trying to run them out of business to get to whatever is under the ground?

Meanwhile, wildlife veterinarian Paradise Alden is determined to find the brother she only recently learned even existed. When the results of the DNA test she ran mysteriously disappear from her portal before she can read them, she realizes someone must not want her to know the truth. A break-in at her new apartment is alarming, but she tries to pass it off as someone trying to scare her away. She refuses to turn tail and run when she is desperate for answers.

For Blake, the only solid ground is his relationship with Paradise, and he longs to propose--but how can they even think about starting a life together with so many forces working against them?

My review:
I loved the first book in this series, and have been looking forward to this one. Colleen Coble has a few series where it centers on the same couple all three books, and this is another of those series. I like that. Instead of a couple meeting and dealing with whatever a suspense author throws at them as they fall in love and get married or engaged at the end of the book, the relationship grows over the length of the series. 

This was just as an exciting and great read as Ambush. An animal sanctuary makes such a great setting for a suspense series, and this is some of Coble's best writing in my opinion. Prowl had even more character development for the very likable characters in this series. Paradise is a great character, but she needs to stop being so stubborn and independent and let Blake carry more of her load. 

And Blake....he is one of Cobles best characters so far. He runs the animal sanctuary, putting most of his paycheck right back into it, while helping his mom raise his 5 and 7 year old brothers, Isaac and Levi, who add so much to the story.

Prowl brings in new bad guys, and a lot of attempts to get Blake and his family to fail and get Sanctuary closed for good. I was afraid it was going to happen, especially when an elusive will entered the picture. 

Coble is one of those authors who puts a lot of faith/Christian content in her books, and this one was no different. There was a theme of trusting God no matter how bleak things are, and that was something I need to focus more on, so I appreciate that.

While reading Prowl, I found myself wishing I could live and work at a place like that. 

The book had a great ending, and there were a couple of things I didn't see coming, such as identity of a guilty party.  I am already looking forward to the third and final book in this series. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-book copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 5 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at ColleenCoble.com

Prowl releases November 4. 

                                                                  Book #1

The Bell Tolls At Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright

 

Book description:

An abandoned estate encased in stagnant darkness . . .

A haunting legacy intent on silencing all within reach . . .

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle's and aunt's murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle's eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning the reasons for her uncle's paranoia. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly--as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek--are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended.

In present day Newton Creek, whispers of a family curse still cling to the century-old, abandoned property of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after her mother's passing, she is intent on solving the mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still plague the property. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

My review:
I started reading the newest book by the queen of creepy Christian fiction on the porch of a cabin literally in the woods next to a cemetery. I recommend reading it in the comfort of your own home. :)

It took me a couple of chapters to really get into the book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it once I did. In spite of the cemetery next to my cabin.

With the exception of Wright's recent Love Inspired Suspense novels, all of Wright's novels are split time. So it can take a little while to get into the flow of bouncing between the present and the past. But Wright excels at these kind of novels.

When reading a book like this, you have two sets of characters to keep track of, both sets revolving, in this case, around Traeger Hall and the murders of the owner and his wife. I found myself liking both sets of characters, and especially Jennie, Zane, and Zane's autistic boy, Milo of the modern day set of characters......and Waverly and Titus of the past set of characters.

There was a lot happening to keep track of, but the author writes in such a way that I easily kept track of what was happening, to whom, and when. Both sets of timelines were very suspenseful with a lot of mystery...and to my surprise, romance. I don't remember Wright having much, if any, romance in most of her books, but there was romance in both sets of timelines. It wasn't gushy - I cannot imagine this author being gushy 😁 - but it was there, and definitely added to the story.

As with her other books, there were things that happened that seemed like it was ghosts/things not of this world, but Wright has a way of explaining it away that it was humans. 

I did read most of the book in one sitting. It is a masterpiece of creepy suspense that kept me glued to the book. I was nearing the end, and was wondering if she was going to reach a good conclusion to both timelines and weave them together in one ending, and she did pull it off. This is truly a great read, and Wright again shows she is the queen of creepy Christian fiction, and dual timeline novels.

 Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Jaime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author--including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards--is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin's rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes - providing an exhilarating amount chaos. 

Visit her at: JaimeWrightBooks.com .

Texas Christmas Cover-Up by Terri Reed

 

Book description:

A hunt for the truth
could be deadly.

When widowed FBI agent Kara Evans returns to sell her late mother’s home, eager to shed reminders of her tragic past, she’s assaulted by a masked attacker. With the house ransacked and a daughter to protect, Kara must turn to her former love, police chief Jeremy Hamilton, to track down her assailant. But when the trail of clues leads to unanswered questions about her father’s cold case murder, it’s clear that someone is determined to keep Kara from uncovering the truth. As a string of new murders unfolds, can they expose this deadly plot before Kara is silenced forever?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My review:
This is the first Christmas book I have read this year, and it is a great one to start my Christmas reading off. And it is a cold case mystery, which is something I have found myself really enjoying. Reed did a great job on this one, and it is one I read in one sitting, as I found the book hard to put down.

I have read a lot of Reed's books, and this is one of the best in my opinion. I loved the setting, a Texas Island. (Is it bad that I didn't know there were Texas Islands?) The book takes place on an Padre Island, which does exist. 

The characters were ones I really liked. I have said in other reviews that I like it when the two main characters had a previous relationship, and don't get to know each other, fall in love, and marry at the end of the book. In this case, Kara and Jeremy had dated 12 years before, but their relationship had ended when her father was murdered and she and her mother moved away.

And of course there is Emily, 4 year old daughter of Kara. She added a lot to the book, as kids always do.

The suspense was non stop in this book as Kara and Jeremy tried to solve a current string of murders while trying to uncover the truth about her father's 12 year old murder. It was a great plot, with a few surprises thrown in, though I did suspect one certain person early on of having something to do with it. And I was kind of right. 

Texas Christmas Cover-Up had a great ending, and my time reading it was well spent. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:

Award winning, multi-published author Terri Reed found solace from a chaotic childhood in the pages of books that took her far away to different realms and realities. When she discovered Christian fiction, she also discovered her own story telling voice. Now she writes books of heart-warming romance and heart-pounding suspense infused with faith. Her romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publisher's Weekly top ten and Nielsen BookScan top hundred lists, and have been featured in USA Today. She's a member of the Honor Roll of Romance Writers of America. Her books have finaled in Romance Writers of America RITA contest, National Readers' Choice Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. One of her romance novels was adapted into a Hallmark movie for Christmas 2019. Terri resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and running the agility course with her Australian shepherd.

Check out Terri's website for more about her and her books at TerriReed.com.

Texas Christmas Cover-Up is a sequel to Trained To Protect, which came out earlier this year. 

Double Protection Duty, Dakota K-9 Unit #7 by Sharon Dunn

 

Book description:

When a toddler goes missing,
a K-9 team must move fast.

A family trip to the Wind Caves National Park quickly turns into a nightmare when K-9 officer Kenyon Graves discovers one of his twin boys has been abducted. Now Kenyon needs the help of his team and his longtime friend Raina McCord to save his toddler son. But the kidnappers are elusive—and intent on killing anyone who stands in the way of their sinister scheme. With threats closing in, time is of the essence to catch these criminals…before Kenyon and Raina pay the ultimate price.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My review:
I love these K-9 series Love Inspired Suspense does. Ironic, since I don't like dogs. :)
They are fun inspirational reads, and it always intrigues me how multiple authors use the same characters and main plot. In this series, gun trafficking is the main plot for the series, with each book having its on separate plot. (If you are reading this review on my blog, this author did a post about how the authors work on a series like this on my blog. Post here.)

I have been looking forward to this book ever since the main male character, Kenyon, came back from the dead. Not really a spoiler since the guy is obviously alive in this book....but when the series begins, Kenyon is believed to be dead, but they discover that is not true in a previous book to this one. And the author did an awesome job with his story.

Kids in books is something I always enjoy.  They add so much to the plot, and a different aspect to a romantic relationship. This book has twin boys, one of which becomes the focus of multiple attempted kidnappings.

I really did enjoy this one. Great main characters: Kenyon and Raina, and three year old Austin and Beacon, among others. There is pretty much non-stop suspense as the team searches for the gun traffickers, while Kenyon, Raina, and the task force does their best to protect the little boys. 

There is also a strong faith element in this story, which I always appreciate in Christian fiction.

Double Protection Duty has a great ending that closes Kenyon, Raina, Austin, and Beacon's story, while setting up for the next book in this series. 

These books are all by different authors, and I would recommend reading them in order. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Sharon Dunn started writing when she was pregnant with her oldest child. He is now 33 years old. She has written cozy and humorous mysteries along with over thirty romantic suspense novels. Her books have won awards and frequently appear on the USA and Publisher's Weekly bestseller lists. She is a widow who lives next to a park with her cat Sparky. She has three adult children. When she isn't writing, she loves going for walks, doing puzzles, reading and meeting up with friends. 

Check out her website for more about Sharon and her books: SharonDunnBooks.net

The rest of the series:

                                                                Book #1

Book #2

Book #3

Book #4

Book #5

Book #6

Book #8, Coming October 28

Book #9, Coming November 25

Finding Faith, The Southern Knight Protectors Series by Madison Love

 

Book description:

I've loved twice and lost both times. I never expected it to find me again, or the trouble that followed.

Four years ago, I was running for my life with my wife and son. Now I have a new face, a new name, and a new home. But I'm raising my child alone.

After losing my wife in a tragic accident, I transferred to the Southern Knights in an attempt to escape a broken heart. I didn't expect to run into someone from my past—the first woman to ever break it.

Faith Conway, my DEA partner before I went undercover to infiltrate a drug cartel in Colombia, made it clear she wouldn't wait for me. She chose her career over love... over me.

Even though she doesn't recognize me now, I remember her—the good with the bad; the love and the heartbreak.

Our reunion is anything but smooth, and working together again is proving to be more difficult than I ever imagined. There's tension and unresolved history between us, yet I can't deny a lingering affection that I fight against. It's a battle I'm not sure I can win.

Still, old instincts kick in when she's kidnapped—and I don't hesitate to step in.

As we work to discover the truth and return safely, we're forced to confront what we left behind.

And what still might be possible.

Together, we face danger, uncover buried secrets, and discover that sometimes starting over means going back to where it all began. To finding faith.

A faith I'd thought I'd lost.

My review:
This author was one who surprised me. I ran across her suspense series Shining Knights Protectors Series, and no offense to the author.....the covers just didn't grab me. But they sounded like the kind of books I like, so I started reading them, and loved that series.

This is a spin-off of that series with new characters along with some characters from the other series. 

It is different from a lot of books of this kind, as in it is the male character who is in danger and is in hiding. Jaxon is a former DEA agent. Widower with a six year old son and a new face and name, he is part of the Southern Knight Protectors.

As with her other books I have read, the author wrote this in the first person point of view, switching back and forth between Jaxon and Faith, always indicating which one, and most of the time every other chapter. I am not a fan of 1st POV, but I do like that kind of writing.

Jaxon and Faith were both great and likable characters. They had dated before he married his wife, and she has no idea who he is when the book starts.

I love the title of the book. It has a dual meaning. Jaxson has to find Faith the woman, in more than one way. He also has to find his faith in God that he lost along the way, so yes...the author does not shy away from the Bible and Christian content in this book. 

In my not so humble opinion, this is the author's best book so far. Loved the cover, the title, the characters, the Christian message, and the non stop suspense throughout  the book. And of course, I loved the ending. 

My only complaint: the book ended kind of abruptly, setting up the next book. I tried to click to the next page, and discovered that was it. But other than that, this was an amazing story of love and redemption among suspense and betrayal. I am already looking forward to more in this series. Though this book will be difficult to top. 

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-book copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Currently 99 cents for the preorder: Finding Faith. 

About the author: 
Best Selling, Award Winning Author, Madison Love enjoys writing clean and Christian romances while intertwining humor, faith, and suspense. She has spent most of her life traveling abroad, discovering new places, and meeting wonderful people. She spent twenty years in the military before settling in a rural town outside of Buffalo, New York, where she now lives on a forty-acre farm with her husband, son, and two dogs. Having been afforded the time and opportunity to bring her ideas and stories to life, she seeks to give her readers the ‘happy ever after’ they seek.

Check out her website: MadisonLoveRomance.com