Can't Wait Wednesday! Windswept Way

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This extended series in Hope Harbor delivers beautiful stories of hope and new beginnings.  Her next Novel releases April 2023.

About the book: Windswept Way

Buying a haunted house was never in Ashley Scott's plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap after a major setback, she finds herself trekking cross-country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to launch a new life.

Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn't sure what to make of the attractive woman on his reclusive older neighbor's isolated property, but her presence is none of his business--until she enlists his help with an ambitious project. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more personal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There's no room in his life--or his heart--for romance.

Yet, as these three hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and love to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal and love blooms.

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Genre Freebie

 Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

So it is no surprise that my favourite Genre is Suspense, but what is surprising is that I have not yet read any of these books, which is sitting on my Kindle or shelf, which I got years ago, and is by by one of my favourite authors and was so excited to read!  Sometimes I delayed, because I knew if I read it, I read it!  I hope to get to all or at least some of these in 2023:

1. Dark Justice

2.  Shadow in Serenity

3. Vendetta

4. Butterfly Palace

5. The View from Rainshadow Bay

6. A Secret to Die For

7. Flight Risk

8. Smoke Screen

9. State of Lies

10. The Crushing Depths

Review: Shattered

Shattered by Lisa Harris
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Rating 4.5

This conclusion to the grid going down was fast paced, engaging and suspenseful.

I enjoyed how the book started one year back and then continued back through to the current situation. The reconciliation between Hope and Chase was also realistic – as a reader you could feel the struggles to forgive and understand but also the love between them.

This book included the same suspense, thrill, and twists as the rest of the series, but it also included a lot more emotions, reflecting the emotional stress and impact on the characters after the grid going down.

I am glad there will be a novella still coming because I am not yet done with the McQuaid family.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Review of Prequel 

Review book 1: Survival  

Review book 2: Hunted

Review book 3: Frequency

Review book 4: Deception

Pre-order/Buy here

View all my reviews

About the book:

In the prequel to the series, The Last Day, Chase said good-bye to Hope and left Shadow Ridge for an overnight prisoner transport to San Angelo. . .the day before the grid went down. For those rooting for Hope McQuaid and Chase Becket to find each other again, well, the wait is almost over. Except the circumstances aren’t what either of them could have ever imagined.

About the author:

LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and Vendetta, Christy Award winner for

Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times.

She has almost forty novels and novellas in print. She and her family work as missionaries in southern Africa. Lisa loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. Visit Lisa’s website to learn more.

Weekend Wrap-Up: February 26th

 

 

 It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

I am basically caught up with reviews, except for the ones I finished over the weekend and the end of the week.

I am hoping for more reading time this week, but depends on my ability to stay awake!

Finished

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading

Next up:

A few options, some for review, some for challenges and some because it is a highly need to read:

What are you reading this week?

Blog Posts Recap:

Here is my past week's Blog Posts.

Top Ten Tuesday

Can't Wait Wednesday

Book Spotlight Fridays!

Saturday Series Discovery

Adding to the Bookshelf:

Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

I added a few ARCs this week:

Review: Code of Courage

Code of Courage by Janice Cantore
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This was a new-to-me author and it was clear that the author has extensive knowledge of what it means to be a police officer.

The struggles of the police force performing their duties after negative media news and politics intruding was greatly portrayed in this story.

The action and suspense was intriguing and a twists and turns surprising which keeps the reader invested.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

Detective Danni Grace has never met a police officer who wants to face a scenario where pulling the trigger on another person is the only option. When the worst does occur and there’s a police-involved shooting, it leads to riots and calls to disband the entire police force in La Rosa, Danni’s hometown.

After fifteen years on the force, Danni has had enough. Injured in the line of duty when a protester throws a chunk of concrete at her and shaken by the vitriol being shown to the police, Danni realizes for the first time that she’s lost her passion for the job.

While she’s on a leave of absence, though, a community activist in La Rosa is shot and a fellow officer is blamed for his murder. Taking on this case means stepping back into a job Danni’s not sure she can do anymore . . . and working closely with her ex-husband, Gabriel Fox, an investigator for the city prosecutor’s office. Danni will need to tap into her code of courage to uncover the truth, prevent another injustice, and uphold her oath to serve and protect.

About the author:

A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of

assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her first series of novels is the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards in books Accused, Abducted and Avenged. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes Critical Pursuit and Visable Threat. Her latest series is the Line of Duty series, featuring Crisis Shot, Lethal Target and the soon to be released Cold Aim www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.

Review: A Castaway in Cornwall

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

I love a good regency romance and Julie Klassen’s novels is always an enjoyment. The audiobook narrator is always brilliant on a Julie Klassen novel and this one was no exception.

I enjoyed the dashing mysterious gentlemen, Alex and his heart and goal to free his brother, Laura who loves to find beach treasures and get them in the hands of the owners which allowed closure for some of the remaining loved ones, and the suspense plot with a charming bad guy.

Though the characters experienced loss and heartache, they also experienced hope, love, reconciliations and happy endings.

*I listened to the audiobook on Audible.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

Laura Callaway daily walks the windswept Cornwall coast, known for many shipwrecks but few survivors. She feels like a castaway, set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers. Now living with her parson uncle and his parsimonious wife in North Cornwall, Laura is viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong somewhere again.

When ships sink, wreckers scour the shore for valuables, while Laura searches for clues to the lives lost. She has written letters to loved ones and returned keepsakes to rightful owners. She collects seashells and mementos, and when a man is washed ashore, she collects him too.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the castaway, the mystery surrounding him grows. He has abrasions and a deep cut that looks suspiciously like a knife wound, and he speaks in careful, educated English, yet his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Their attraction grows, and while she longs to return the man to his rightful home, evidence against him mounts. With danger pursuing them from every side, will Laura ever find the answers and love she seeks?

About the author:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. She blogs at http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Review: No Journey Too Far

No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This was a beautiful story about young adults overcoming hardships and bad cards dealt to them in life.

I really enjoyed this story. Not only was it rich with historical detail, set in Canada after the great war, included a mystery or two, but also included two beautiful growing romance stories and reconciliations.

My favourite character was Emma – her inner beauty and strength shined throughout this story and I loved how she trusted God and asked for His help to let the truth be revealed.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, do not overlook this series.

Review book 1

View all my reviews

About the book:

It's 1919, and Garth McAlister returns from to England to be reunited with his family after fighting in the Great War. But his heart is still in Canada with his sweetheart, Emma Lafferty. It's been four months since he has heard from Emma, and he is determined to return to Canada and discover if she still loves him or has given her heart to another. The ten-year-search for his youngest sister Grace continues, and the family is stunned to receive a letter from Grace, who is now almost eighteen and living in Toronto, Canada. Follow the heart-tugging story of these young adult British Home Children as they seek to be reunited with those they love.

About the author:

Bestselling Author Carrie Turansky writes inspirational historical and contemporary novels and novellas set

in England and the US. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the International Digital Award. Readers say her stories are: "Heartwarming and inspiring! I couldn't put it down!" . . . "A touching love story. It captured me from the first page! Rich characters, beautifully written" . . . "My new favorite author!" Visit her website and sign up for her email newsletter at Carrie Turansky.com. Follow Carrie on Facebook and Instagram.

Book Spotlight Fridays! Shattered

Book Beginnings and Friday56

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

Shattered is the conclusion in the Fallout series by Lisa Harris and releases Febuary 28th, but it is out for pre-order.  I was fortunate to receive and ARC and am looking forward to spending my time seeing what happens next over the weekend!  

Shattered

About the book:

Welcome to Shadow Ridge, where LONGMIRE meets JERICHO.

From USA Today Best-selling author Lisa Harris comes an epic new series where the survival of Shadow Ridge depends on learning how to fight crime all over again.

In the prequel to the series, The Last Day, Chase said good-bye to Hope and left Shadow Ridge for an overnight prisoner transport to San Angelo. . .the day before the grid went down. For those rooting for Hope McQuaid and Chase Becket to find each other again, well, the wait is almost over. Except the circumstances aren’t what either of them could have ever imagined.

In today’s world, law enforcement agencies across the country rely on forensic tools, DNA testing, and crime labs. But what if that technology was suddenly no longer available? No one in the small, west Texas town of Shadow Ridge knows what took down the power grid, or when it’s going to be back up, but everyone knows exactly where they were the moment it went down. And now, with no electricity, no internet, and no modern technology, the men and women responsible for keeping the town safe are going to have to learn how to fight crime all over again.

**Start with the prequel, The Last Day, then Survival, book one in the Fallout series. Each novel contains a standalone mystery, but there are overarching stories that tie together the entire series.

**Survival is free for Kindle Unlimited Users

*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

Chase Beckett glanced in the rearview mirror of his squad car to confirm his prisoner was secure.

Friday 56

She glanced at the door, knowing this wasn't the time, but she still had so many questions.

My thoughts so far

I am looking forward to my weekend reading time.  

                                    ************************************************************* 

Can't Wait Wednesday! The Vanishing at Castle Moreau

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I love Jaime Jo Wright.  It is gothic, scary but also brings the reader back to the truth.  Her next Novel releases April 2023.

About the book: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau

Who doesn't love a second chance?

In 1865, orphaned Daisy Francois takes a position as housemaid at a midwestern Wisconsin castle and finds that the reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress inside hides more than the harrowing tales in her novels. With women disappearing from the area and a legend that seems to parallel these eerie circumstances, Daisy is thrust into a web that may threaten to steal her sanity, if not her life.

In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of American aristocratic family the Tremblays to help his matriarchal grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stashes of collectibles, a century-old mystery of disappearance, insanity, and the dust of the old castle's curse threatens to rise again, and this time, leave no one alive to tell its sordid tale.

Fan-favorite Jaime Jo Wright draws readers into a seamlessly woven dual-time tale of suspense, mystery, romance, and redemption.

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Through Waters Deep

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Though this novel is filled with historical detail, Sarah Sundin has a way to take the reader along without making you feel like you are sitting in a history class, but rather have joined the characters in their adventures.

I always thought America only got involved in WW2 after Pearl Harbor was hit, so it was quite informative to learn that they were involved before it truly was known.

Mary and Jim were great characters. They both had to grow so much, and they did! Both of them endured traumatic events in their childhood which prohibit them from truly living their God driven purpose, being bold and giving God honor through their talents.

With a few possible suspects, the mystery plot kept me invested, and with the Nancy Drew references, was quite entertaining.

I also loved getting to know Arch and Quintessa and am looking forward to their stories following in the series.


View all my reviews

About the book:

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

About the author:

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling author of When Twilight Breaks (February 2021),The Land Beneath Us (2020), The Sky Above Us (2019) and The Sea Before Us (2018), as well as the Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale series, and Wings of Glory series. Her novel The Land Beneath Us was a 2020 Christy Award finalist, The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award, The Sea Before Us received the 2019 Reader's Choice Award from Faith, Hope, and Love. Both Through Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named to Booklist's "101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years."

A mother of three, Sundin lives in northern California and teaches Sunday school and women's Bible studies. She enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers' groups. Sarah serves as Co-Director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.

Top ten Tuesday: Favorite Heroines

Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Another difficult topic this week, partly due to me not really keeping a list, and partly because there is more than 10 and who do I choose?

1.  Ruby Jane

No words can describe RJ - read it!

2. Emma

I loved Emma's adventurous personality!

3.  Miranda

I enjoyed this young mother following clues to solve mysteries and finding herself in dangerous situations.

4.  Dr Sabrina Fleming

She was so different but so enjoyable.

5. Tessa

Though Tessa was a supporting character throughout the series, I loved her!

6. Anna

Anna was such a strong character, and I enjoyed her seeing her grow from a girl to a young women:

7. Ella

Ella had to overcome so much, yet it did not keep her from adventures and dangerous situations.

8. Daphne

Daphne's naivety and tendency to faint at danger caused a few lol moments.

9. Beth

Beth's love for finding treasures made for an adventurous read.

10. PJ Sugar

Always finding herself in trouble, even if she planned for it or not.

Review: Lethal Intentions

Lethal Intentions by Jennifer Chastain
My rating: 💛💛💛

After the start of this book, I expected more suspense but even though there was action, there was not the level of expense I expected and prefer.

I think mainly because the story took place through conversations between the two main characters.

I did enjoy the focus on God and trusting Him through all the challenges.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

He’s a man on the run.

Undercover ATF agent Jack Spencer has been running away his entire life. His last assignment has him questioning who he really is, what he believes, and who he can trust. When his cover is compromised, and he’s injured, he must disappear in order to survive.

She wants a fresh start.

After five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, ex-Army medic Maggie Coleman wants a quiet life, one without emotional trauma. The peace and serenity of the Hawai’ian Islands is just what the doctor ordered. Then Jack crashes into her life, taking her on a rollercoaster ride into the unknown.

Now, they’re running for their lives.

Maggie and Jack flee the Islands only to find their every move is anticipated. As the days wear on, they form a bond that transcends their situation, and they must learn to depend not only on each other, but God as well. When they finally reach the safe house in the mountains of Montana, Jack and Maggie hunker down and wait for reinforcements. Before help arrives, Maggie is kidnapped, and Jack has only one option—offer himself in exchange. Failure is not an option. Because if he does, they both stand to lose more than just their budding relationship.

Weekend Wrap-up: February 19th

 

 It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

I caught up a bit with some of my reviews this past week, but I do have a few more I need to get out.

And I finally finished my paperback!

Finished

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading

Yes, STILL busy with these:

Next up:

A few options, will depend on my mood this week:

What are you reading this week?

Blog Posts Recap:

Here is my past week's Blog Posts.

Top Ten Tuesday

Can't Wait Wednesday

Book Spotlight Fridays!

Saturday Series Discovery

Adding to the Bookshelf:

Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

Bought one book this week from a favourite author:

Review: Cold Light of Day

Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

With a nail-biting prologue which kept the reader guessing of what happened and breadcrumbs being dropped throughout the story, Elizabeth Goddard did a great job of keeping suspense fans captivated in this suspenseful story.

The beautiful setting of Alaska, two main characters with baggage which impacted their actions and natural and criminal threats which kept Autumn and Grier from finding the truth added to the thrill.

However, some people went missing by choice. Disappearing in Alaska was part of their grand scheme. And others were forced into hiding to survive.

I believed in Grier’s innocence, though I wondered if his secrets was a bit shady.

I am hoping Nolan, Autumn’s brother will have his own story in this series as well.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

Police Chief Autumn Long is fighting to keep her job in the quiet Alaska town of Shadow Gap when an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and even an attack on her own father. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, she turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training Autumn needs to face this threat to her community.

Grier is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are--to disappear--when Chief Long enlists his help. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could be a deadly trap for them both. If his secret is exposed, all will be lost. And he's not sure even Autumn could save him.

As the stakes rise and the dangers increase, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other to extinguish the deadly threats.

About the author: 

With over one million books sold, Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today and Publisher's Weekly bestselling, award-winning author of over fifty romance novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES--a 2011 Carol Award winner. Four of her six Mountain Cove books have been contest finalists. Buried, Backfire and Deception are finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, and Submerged is a Carol Award finalist. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of writing full-time.