MURDER IN THE APPALACHIANS by Susan Furlong, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Good suspense with danger, intrigue, corruption, and a murder that stalls a cold case investigation. Emma Hayes is an investigative journalist who tries to find out who killed her twin brother Daniel and which case he was working on. Dr. Logan Greer is on vacation and fishing when he sees an unconscious Emma across the stream. He rescues her and starts helping her in her search for the truth.
 

Emma has a crisis of faith when she does not understand why God let her brother die. Logan has a strong faith but still struggles with PTSD from his time in the service. When they try to put the pieces of the puzzle together, they get deeper in trouble. They are not only seeking what clue Daniel left behind, but also the mysterious disappearance of Logan’s sister years ago. They do not know who to trust.
 

This was a realistic tale that kept me guessing until the final reveal. I enjoyed the faith journey of Logan and Emma as well as the romance that grew between them. The supporting characters, Joe and Rachel and veteran Huey, added depth to the plot that was complex and interesting.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Love Inspired Suspense through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 4 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:

On the run in the mountains…

with a killer on their trail.

After unearthing secrets from her late brother’s police notebook, journalist Emma Hayes discovers his death was no accident—he was murdered. Only someone doesn’t want Emma to find out the connection to the cold case her brother was investigating…and they’ll kill to keep it that way. Now Emma must rely on local ER doctor Logan Greer to help her stay alive and follow a trail of elusive evidence. But as they unravel a conspiracy, they realize that the killer could be anyone hiding in the mountains…

 

Love Inspired, April 2025

Available in digital ebook and mass market paperback

Buy MURDER IN THE APPALACHIANS at Amazon, or Christianbook .com

SUNRISE REEF by Irene Hannon, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula #ReleaseDay

   HOPE HARBOR NOVEL #11

Small Town Beach Contemporary Opposites Attract 

Clean Romance Set in the Pacific Northwest

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Had he walked in on paying guests who'd assumed he was an intruder . . .?"

Neither Bren Ryan nor Noah Ward had expected to meet each other in the middle of the night during a rather epic, and quite unfortunate misunderstanding (which would make a great story . . . someday), but after lengthy apologies and a detour of plans, the two eventually had the chance to exchange formal introductions during the light of day. Buttoned-up always-by-the-book Noah Ward lent credence to the stereotypical image of a certified public accountant, while Bren looked every bit the free-spirited barista, sporting purple hair and bright colored clothing. A match made in heaven? Doubtful. . . but possible. After all, this was Hope Harbor. . . 

and "coincidence is a small miracle in which God chooses to remain anonymous".

Another absolutely heart-warming story that solidifies the Hope Harbor reputation of being a place "where hearts heal . . . and love blooms".
*I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. I also purchased a copy.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
It is always a joy to return to Hope Harbor and another romantic encounter in the place I want to be real so I could visit. Ms. Hannon has created a setting so welcoming and characters who show how a community can show kindness, caring and Christian love.

This time we meet workaholic CPA Noah who is visiting his dad Fred, with the idea of convincing him to move back to St Louis. And then there is Bren, a barista at The Perfect Blend, who we met in a previous book. In this case opposites attract. And boy does this meeting stand out!

As always there are characters who are old favorites like Father Murphy and Reverend Baker who rib each other goodnaturedly and Charley and his taco stand where he serves up godly wisdom for free. This time his advice is to look beyond the surface to the heart inside.

Yay! There will be a book 12! And hopefully more as well.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
Sometimes you have to look beneath the surface to find the treasure within

After years of searching, Bren Ryan has found her place in Hope Harbor. Working as a barista suits her to a T, as does the laid-back vibe of her adopted town. Nothing is lacking in her life--except romance. But that's okay. Men are a complication she doesn't need.

Buttoned-up CPA Noah Ward isn't looking for love, either, when he arrives in town on a mission to convince his father to move closer to him. And he certainly doesn't intend to fall for the quirky, free-spirited woman who's taken up residence in his father's guest cottage.

But when Noah finds himself sucked into Bren's quest to help a struggling teen, might the two of them discover there's more to each other than meets the eye?

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms. 

Revell Publishing, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

BUY SUNRISE REEF at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

TEMPEST AT ANNABEL'S LIGHTHOUSE by Jaime Jo Wright, reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

A Dual Timeline Gothic Mystery and Suspense Novel Set in a Small Town

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Shea Raddclyffe journeyed to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the shores of Lake Superior to stay at a lighthouse whose history is steeped in legend. She is researching a book and delves into the mysterious background of Annabelle and her lighthouse. She is also seeking to put distance between her and her husband Pete, and contemplating why they have grown apart.

The more she digs into the details, the more mysterious it gets, especially when she discovers information about a lady named Rebecca that nobody wants to talk about. Information that leads to a recent mysterious death and subsequent danger for Shae and Pete. 

The author seamlessly weaves two timelines together with poetic language that causes the reader to think on relationships and the consequences of selfish actions. But she also points to selfless love and commitment.

“Sometimes steady was comforting.
Sometimes mundane was reliable
Sometimes always-there was the most romantic thing anyone could ever be for someone.”

This was an absolutely stunning novel that had me mesmerized by the legend of Annabel and the danger surrounding Shea as she took a closer look at the mystery.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a slight faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Where the lighthouse no longer illuminates, ghostly lore and legends emerge . . .

1874
A battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior's southern shore. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the lake's unforgiving waves years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, more is at stake than reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel's as well.

Present Day
Author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic Michigan mining town to seek clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse's landlord, Shea contends with the legend of Annabel's vengeful ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the truth about a current murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel's lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight between torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love.

. . . demanding vengeance for secrets that should have drowned a century before. 

Bethany House Publishing, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy TEMPEST AT ANNABEL'S LIGHTHOUSE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE KEEPER by Charles Martin, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

KIM'S REVIEW:

I have been hoping for a 4th story in this series for what feels like forever! I am so glad Charles Martin decided to continue and give us The Keeper! I absolutely love his stories and this series is one of my favorites of his! I love Murphy and Bones, and their mission and that each and every secondary character adds such depth to this series!

I can’t really say a lot about this story since it is book #4 and I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say, I really loved how everything worked out in this book. The heartfelt way Mr. Martin writes just brings you into the story and has you rooting for these characters. Speaking of the characters, so many of them have grown and healed so much since the first book. I love to see the hope and the healing! My heart hurt for Murphy so much as he was trying to heal. The human trafficking parts, as usual, broke my heart and made me ache that this really happens.

I thought this was the final story in this series, but I love that the door was left open for more! I am so hoping this series continues. Do not miss these stories!
*I received a complimentary copy of this story. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 4 stars.

 

BackCover Blurb:
USA TODAY and ECPA bestselling series

Combine James Patterson and Colleen Hoover and you'll start to understand why readers are riveted by the Murphy Shepherd series from New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin: gripping action, heart-wrenching emotion, and deep questions that deserve to be considered.

Bones--Murphy Shepherd's teacher, mentor, priest, and friend--is gone. Devastated by the loss and unsure how to continue the rescue work they started, Murph has no choice but to jump back in when the worst happens. His longtime friend and current United States vice president, Aaron Ashley, has been a silent partner in the fight against trafficking. But in spite of having the best security available, his three daughters have been taken bound and blindfolded from their home by an extraction team that left no clues and no trace--just an empty house, a bereft mother, and nine dead Secret Service agents. Only Murph and his team have a hope of finding them.

Bones may have made the ultimate sacrifice by taking down his own brother and the dark network he led, but there are still others in this network where evil is the currency and power is the prize. Soon Ashley drops out of the presidential race and a new candidate emerges--someone who is ready, too ready, to step into the race and the Oval Office.

Bones taught Murph that the needs of the one, the lost one, outweigh those of the ninety-nine. In his first rescue without Bones beside him, Murph's fight against human trafficking takes him across the globe and through the halls of government to destroy the network and save the lives and souls of those taken.

The Murphy Shepherd series is simultaneously a tender love story, a heartrending search for freedom, an exploration of the terrible cost of human trafficking, and an anthem to the power of love to create change when it shows up regardless of the cost. The Keeper raises the stakes even further, so be ready--you won't want to put it down until you reach the very last page. 

 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

Buy THE KEEPER at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House