Series discovery: Chapel Springs

 

This was a wonderful series about a close-knit family in a small town.  I loved seeing the way the brother and sisters looked out for each other, teased and wanted the best for each other.  I also loved the supportive parents, especially Mamma Jo who comes across as meddling, but you love her anyway for butting in where she should have stayed out.

In this series, the author took some series subjects, alcoholism, rape, foster system and child abuse and showed the effects on the characters in a realistic way. The author provided the readers with just enough detail to show what happened to the characters, how it impacted their lives, but also delivered the stories with hope and break through.

 

Links to the review of all books read:

Review book 1: Barefoot Summer

Review book2: Dancing with Fireflies

Review: A December Bride

Review book3: The Wishing Season

Review book 4: Married 'til Monday

About the author:

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of more than 40 novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

Series Discovery: My Heart Remembers

 

This was a great historical series, each book focused on a group of orphans and their journey in life.

Book one should be read first, since the second book follows years after book one finished.  I did find book one stronger but did enjoy both books.

I enjoyed how this series focused on the good and bad of what can happen to orphans and their journey in life.  Some of their journeys went on more happier routes than others, but each character found a place in my heart.  Especially Petey, who was a boy in book one and grown up in book two,

Kim Vogel Sawyer delivers emotionally strong stories with the main focus on Christ, which I love and enjoy.

Review book 1: My Heart Remembers

Review book 2: In Every Heartbeat

Series Discovery: The Elite Guardian Collection

Suspense fans and especially those who enjoy stories about a close group of friends, will enjoy this collection, which is a follow up on renown suspense Author, Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardian series.

This collection is written by three different authors who, under the mentorship of Lynette Eason, provided thrilling, suspenseful action set in the world Lynette first created.

Sunrise Media group had this idea to help up and coming authors to find their feet in the publishing world, under the mentorship of well published authors.  And fans love this platform, because we get more stories set in some of our favourite series which we hated seeing to end.

This series lived up to all my expectations of a Cannot put down suspense and each author lived up to the standard set by Lynette Eason.

Here are all my individual reviews:

Review book 1: Driving Force

Review book 2: Impending Strike

Review book 3: Defending Honor

Series review/Series Discovery: The Epic Story of RJ and YORK

This series released in 3 installments, one week apart from each other and is so interlinked that it will be best to review it all in one!  Each Installment ends in a cliffhanger, so please have all 3 books available, because if you are like me, you will puck up the next book the second you are done with the first!

If you enjoy audiobooks, you should not skip these audiobooks, because it is the best audios I have listened to. The narrator Adam Gold has the most beautiful deep voice, delivers the telling brilliantly and the added spy affects just adds to an entertaining read.

Out of the Nights picks up where the Montana Marshall series and Global Search and Rescue series end so it will be best to have read those series first, however the author does recaps on the highlights to get new readers caught up.

After I closed the cover on RJ’s book, I was not ready to say goodbye to RJ and York and involvement with spies, so I was so excited to read this series.

It had everything and more I love from Susan May Warren. Danger, Action, Suspense, dashing hero, a heroine acting without thinking needing rescue and some great banter lines.

This story had me on the edge of my seat, fearing for my favourite characters, feeling annoyed with RJ, heart aching for York and lol moments.

The suspense continues in I Will Find You. I could just feel York's internal struggle about wanting to leave the action and spy world behind, fearing of losing RJ, but also wondering if he should let RJ go.

There was a lot of breath holding moments, especially at the end of chapters, which made it difficult to think about closing the book for sleep or just normal life. I had so many thoughts and feelings while reading this installment, which is evident of great writing. And all the suspects!

I enjoyed the spy Ziggy and the historical scenes about her family and hope she and Roy will have a HEA.

And the the final conclusion in No Matter The Cost.  

What an awesome final installment. And it was great catching up with some of RJ's brothers.

Up to this installment, York fought against his past and wanted a chilled life with no action. In this final installment we are spoiled with York 007. There is action, action and so much action. Surprising reveals and twists and satisfying conclusions.

I loved this spy series featuring RJ and York, and again, not really ready to say goodbye to them, though I know there is so many adventures still to come from Susan May Warren.

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

About the author:

Also see: Author Discovery: Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren Short Bio

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Series Discovery: The Secrets of the Isles

 Fans of Roseanna M White’s previous series would find this series a bit different to her past three series but will not be left without that swooning romance and deeper messages we are spoiled with in her stories.  And do not forget about the dashing gentleman and unique, but loveable ladies.

But this series stands out due to the adventure and treasure seeking element.  It was fun searching with the characters.

I also enjoyed how the romance included the leading lady, but also a secondary romance which included the servants.  And how the servants became more, not just friends, but family as well, crossing the boundaries of what was expected during the time.

The series was also reach in spiritual lessons, with the one included in the third book, for me the strongest.

This series is highly recommended. 

For more on each book, refer to my individual reviews below:

Review of book 1 

Review of book 2

Review of book 3

About the author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are

the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
see also Roseanna White

Also see:  Author Discovery: Roseanna M White

Saturday Series Discovery: Blackfriars Lane

 

I loved this historical series.  The interaction between Jackson and Kit was fun to read and caused a few humorous scenarios.  This series needs to be read in order.  Book two follows on book one, and to truly appreciate the relationship between Kit and Jackson, you need to go back to the start, to a time when they were still enemies!

It was fun to follow the evidence and tips to solve the mysteries right along with Kit and Jackson.  The stories were really entertaining and even the supporting characters and suspects, added to some interesting reading.

The author’s way to describe scenarios and people makes reading fun and a creative escape.

And I was very excited to learn there will be a third book in this series!

Here is my reviews on book one and two:

Review: The Thief of Blackfriars Lane 

Review: the Bride of Blackfriars Lane

About the author:

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive

amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I chose the latter. Way cheaper. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write...except for that graffiti phase I went through as a teenager. Oops. Did I say that out loud?

Saturday Series Discovery: Natchez Trace Park Rangers

 This series are very loosely connected.  Some characters make brief appearances in each book, but in such a way that you won’t really feel like you are missing detail if you read the books out of order.

But, if you like to read series in order, like me, then this is another series to binge read.  The location is a beautiful setting, and the main characters are park rangers, which is something different to the normal careers suspense characters has.

Each suspense plot is unique and very interesting to solve.  With lots of twists and turns, each story kept me invested from beginning to end.

Review of books:

Review of book 1: Standoff

Review of book 2: Obsession 

Review of book 3: Crosshairs 

Review of book 4: Deception

About the author:

Also see: Author Discovery: Patricia Bradley

Winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense, Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi

with her rescue kitty, Suzy, and loves to write suspense with a twist of romance. Her Logan Point series is available at all on-line retailers and major bookstores. In September 2017, JUSTICE BURIED, the second book in the Memphis Cold Case Novels will release.

Her workshops on writing include online courses with American Christian Fiction Writers, workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, ACFW Minnesota NICE and Memphis ACFW. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

I love connecting with readers on my blog every Tuesday where I have a Mystery Question for them to solve: www.patriciabradleyauthor.com/blog
Twitter: @ptbradley1
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/

Saturday Series Discovery: The Gwen Marcey Series

 

To be honest, when I originally read book one years ago, I did not enjoy the series and put it to the side for a few years.  At that time, I preferred third person POV and this series was first person, and I think I also did not get the main female character.

Over the years, I have seen a few 4- and 5-star ratings for this series and a few of the books won multiple awards, so it made me wonder if I was missing something. So finally, after I think almost 7 years, I decided to give Gwen Marcey a second chance.

Having finished this series, I’m still a bit conflicted. 

I do feel that I got the character of Gwen Marcey more the second time.  She was honest, raw and quirky.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style – she had a way of writing scenes where I could just feel everything Gwen felt, the cold, the struggle, the fear.

The mysteries.  I loved 2 of the 4 books.  Book 2 and 4 – the suspense was good and made me want to read till late in the night.  Book 1 and 3 I did enjoy parts, but other parts was a bit weird, and I wanted to skim over it.  But that I think is more based on personal preference.

So, after reading this series, will I recommend it?

I think I do.  Because though I do feel there could have been better conclusions in some areas, readers who enjoy characters who deals with real life issues and a suspenseful read, will enjoy this series.  And I think those who consider this series should give it a try, just to see how they experience Gwen Marcey.

Here is more on each book:

Review Book 1 

Review book 2 

Review: Book 3 

Review: Book 4

About the author:

Carrie Stuart Parks is Christy, Carol, and Inspy award-winning author, an award-winning fine artist, and

internationally known forensic artist. Along with her husband, Rick, she travels across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement as well as civilian participants. She has won numerous awards for career excellence. Carrie is a popular platform speaker, presenting a variety of topics from crime to creativity.

Saturday Series Discovery: Out From Egypt

Biblical fiction is not my go-to genre – that would be suspense – but over the years through great Biblical fiction authors, I discovered a love for this genre, because it makes me consider how well known and well-loved people from the Bible might have felt and experience events we know so well.

Through this series, maybe for the first time ever, I wondered how the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness went.  Yes, we know the complained, strayed and returned to God, but I never thought about the life they made while journeying through the dessert. 

I enjoyed rediscovering God’s protection and provision for his people through the lives of the characters in this series. 

I loved how the characters were not Hebrews but through a God-fearing Hebrew, found their way to God and learning about His ways and His love.

I would recommend this series to fans of Biblical fiction.  To see more of my thoughts, please view my individual reviews on each book through the following links:

Review book 1:  Counted with the Stars  

Review book 2: Shadow of the Storm

Review book 3: Wings of the Wind

About the author:

Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on

both ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-plus years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas their home. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com 

Saturday Series Discovery: Hanger's Horsemen

 

Karen Witemeyer is an author, who since I discovered her a few years ago, thoroughly entertains me with fun, feisty female leads, dashing heroes (some on horses), fun banter and mystery and suspense.

The Hanger Horseman series was another great series by Karen Witemeyer I loved. 

All three books included a mystery which added to some great suspenseful and action-packed moments.  I love a good mystery and though Karen Witemeyer writes Historical Fiction, they mysteries she included in her stories gives me that adrenalin rush I enjoy.

Her heroes are dashing cowboys in this series – or rather dashing lawmen.  But that do not take away from the strong, unique ladies who complimented the men and brought out the best from them.

I also loved how the heroes did not have clean, easy pasts, but they were real men with some baggage who turned to God and walked closely with Him.  Each book contained a strong Christian theme and I loved that the heroes had Biblical names.

So, if you like stories which includes rugged men and some strong female leads – who may or may not had moments where they provided the rescue, fun bater between the characters, a strong bond between friends and some great action, you should give this series a try.

Here are my individual reviews on each story in the series:

Review: At Love's Command 

Review: The Heart's Charge

Review: In Honor's Defense

About the author:

Also see:  Author Discovery: Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Recently voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Romance Author by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a two-time winner of the ACFW Carol Award and three-time RITA® finalist. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.

Saturday Series Discovery: Sunrise at Normandy

I have read two of Sarah Sundin's trilogies, and I loved both.  It is rich with historical facts and great characters, main characters you get to know and love, but also amazing supporting characters you are not ready to say goodbye to and want a story for them as well!  

The other unique thing for me about the trilogies I have read, was that even though each book featured a different main character with their own unique story, there was overlapping of events in each book, and you get the a different POV of that event.

Apart from the fact that this series has the most gorgeous covers, this series featured a family which I love.  A family of brothers!  I just love series which features brothers.  The relationship between brothers is unique and so different to sisters and I love that the strong points and weaker points of such a relationship was featured.

I also enjoyed the redemption and prodigal son story in each book.

I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.

If you want to find out more about each book, refer to the reviews per the links below:

Review: Book1 The Sea Before Us 

Review: Book2 The Sky Above US 

Review: Book3 The Land Beneath Us

About the author:

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling author of Until Leaves Fall in Paris (February 2022), When Twilight Breaks (2021), (2020), the Sunrise at Normandy series, and three more WWII series. Her novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. When Twilight Breaks and The Land Beneath Us were Christy Award finalists, The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award, and 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 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.

Series Discovery: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge

 Laurel's Dream was the first book I've read by Pepper D Basham and since then I've added a few of the author's books to my Goodreads list - either as Read or TBR.

I recommend this series to readers who love Historical Romance.  Readers who appreciate learning about and from the past, who enjoy different, rugged characters, marriage of convenience romances and some toe curling kissing scenes.

Both of these books focused on strong women leads who wanted to rise above their circumstances, and fought for what they wanted in life.  The male leads were dashing heroes, but heroes who worked through their own struggles and baggage.

I also loved the strong Christian messages included in both of these stories.

Want to know more?  Go check out these stories, as well as my reviews:

Review of book 1 

Review of book 2

About the author:

Pepper D Basham has been telling tales ever since she was a little girl. When her grandmother called her a “writer” at the age of ten, Pepper took it as gospel and has enjoyed various types of writing styles ever since. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate, Pepper enjoys sprinkling her native Appalachian culture into her fiction wherever she can. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she works with kids who have special needs, searches for unique hats, and plots new ways to annoy her wonderful friends at her writing blog, The Writer’s Alley.

Saturday Series Discovery: Rocky Mountain Courage

 Fans of romantic suspense have another series to put on their TBR:

This was the first series and books I've read by Elizabeth Goddard and I enjoyed this series.

I will definitely read more from this author.  Her suspense kept me guessing and with the right twists and turns at the right moments, I had a few breathtaking moments.

I also enjoyed the characters delivered.  The felt real and it was easy to connect with them.

To find out more about my thoughts on the individual books in the series, go to my reviews below:

Review of book 1

Review of book 2

Review of book 3

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.

Saturday Series Discovery: The Pelican Harbor Series

Colleen Coble is a tried and trusted author in the romantic suspense genre and I always enjoy her books, and especially all the series I've read by her.

The Pelican Harbor series is the most recent series I've finished by her and another great series.

This series needs to be read in order.  The same main characters features in all three books and there is a plot line that starts in book one and continues throughout the series, and concludes in book three.

However, there is also a great suspense plot which starts and concludes in each book.

This book included all I've come to love by Colleen Coble:

A great mystery

Suspense

Danger and Action

Plot Twists

Characters to love and root for.

If this series sounds like something you would like, add it to your TBR!

Here is my individual reviews on each book if you want to see more:

Review: One Little Lie

Review: Two reasons to Run 

Review: Three Missing Days

About the Author:  

USAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of

dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 2 million books in print. 

Series Discovery: The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency Series

 Jen Turano is a name I have seen often among my Goodreads friends as an author who delivers fun, humerous and adventurous stories.  So this year, I though I would try her stories and I had such a fun time reading her stories.

The Bleeker Street Inquiry series delivered strong female leads, some finding themselves in situations causing them to faint or draw a pistol, and dashing heroes who think they come to the heroine's rescue.

There was a few times I was laughing out loud, and a few times I was captivated with the mystery and danger.

So, if you are looking for fun historical stories, with a dash of romance and mystery, this series should be on your TBR.

I listened to the audiobooks and I had such an entertaining time.

If you want to see more about my thoughts on each story, here is the links to my reviews:

Review book 1: To Steal a Heart

Review book 2: To Write a Wrong

Review book 3: To Disguise the Truth

About the author:

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com - https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoaut... , https://www.instagram.com/jenturanoau... or on Twitter at JenTurano@JenTurano.

Series Discovery: US Marshalls Series by Lisa Harris

Suspense fans who enjoy stories filled with danger, action and suspense should put this series on their TBR.  And if you enjoy series which follows the same characters and a mystery to solve through out the series, this one will be just for you.

I enjoyed this series a lot:

💙 Each book kept me guessing and flipping pages.

💙 Each book included a great suspense plot which was solved, but the mystery around Maddison's husband's death which continued throughout the series, was intriguing and developed well throughout the series.

💙 I enjoyed the developing relationship between Maddison and Jonas - I hate insta-love stories and this one was anything but. 

Here is the links to my separate reviews on each book for more information.

Review of book 1: The Escape

Review of book 2: The Chase 

Review of book 3: The Catch

A highly recommended series for fans of suspense!

If you enjoy books by Irene Hannon, Colleen Coble, Lynette Eason and Terri Blackstock, this series and author should be to your liking.

Series Discovery: Patrick Bowers

 The Patrick Bowers files was one I kept seeing on Goodreads and added to my TBR but never got time to read, until the end of last year, and what a thrilling ride!  If you enjoy thrillers, especially serial killers, this series should be a MUST read on your TBR.  The Audiobooks are also amazing if you enjoy listening to those.

The Patrick Bowers was originally published with The Pawn, but since then Steven James published Opening Moves and The New York Files as prequels to this series.  Some readers prefer the Publication order, others the Series order.  Steven James did a brilliant job to fill gaps where needed, but also not to repeat information in the prequel series, so I think you can do either.  The Patrick Bowers series was a bit milder with regards to serial killers and what they did, so if you want to ease into the series, start with the publication order, however, the author gave just enough information to fill the picture of the crimes, but not too much to colour the picture with detail.

This series is definitely highly recommended for fans of thrillers and serial killers.  Apart from the murders and killers to find, I loved the character growth which was so strong throughout this series.

Also, almost all of the books in this series won Awards!

Prequel series:

1.  Every crooked path

2. Every deadly kiss

3. Every wicked man

Review of other books in this series:

Opening Moves

The Pawn

The Rook

The Knight

The Bishop

The Queen 

The King

Checkmate

About the author:

Steven James is a national bestselling novelist whose award-winning, pulse-pounding thrillers continue to

gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base.

His latest novel, SYNAPSE, a near-future thriller, was a finalist for an International Book Award in the sci-fi category.

Suspense Magazine, who named Steven’s book EVERY WICKED MAN one of their “Best Books of 2018,” says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game,” and RT Book Reviews promises that “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.”

Steven deftly weaves intense stories of psychological suspense with deep philosophical insights. As critically-acclaimed novelist Ann Tatlock put it, “Steven James gives us a captivating look at the fine line between good and evil in the human heart.”

Equipped with a unique Master’s Degree in Storytelling, he has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades and has spoken more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe.

Steven’s groundbreaking books on the art of fiction writing, STORY TRUMPS STRUCTURE and TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR NOVEL, have both won Storytelling World Awards. Widely recognized for his story-crafting expertise, he teaches regularly as a Master Class instructor at ThrillerFest, North America’s premier training event for suspense writers. He also hosts the biweekly podcast, The Story Blender.

When Steven isn't writing or speaking, you'll find him trail running, rock climbing, or drinking dark roast coffee near his home in East Tennessee.