Can't Wait Wednesday! Sundown

 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.

So excited to read the final story in the Sky King Ranch trilogy.  Sundown releases November.

About the book: Sundown

Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn't trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled--and smart--woman.

A few of her stories prove true--he's found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her story of survival seems too incredible to believe . . . until the thugs she claims to be hunting her show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets.

But Colt's not about to let her go it alone. And when they discover that her secrets include the antidote to a plague that threatens the world, it'll take all three Kingston brothers to save the country they've vowed to protect.

Susan May Warren brings her Sky King Ranch series to a climactic close with this high-stakes race against the clock.

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Range

Range by Ronie Kendig
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

None of them knew how to keep their noses clean. They found trouble without looking for it. That was part of the Metcalfe brand.

From the first time we’ve met Range in this story, you see a no nonsense, black and white guy who is out to right wrongs, especially against children.

Range had so much anger build up, which was just jumping out from the pages. Yet, he was also strong and compassionate.

The readers had more compassion towards Kasra, because we saw from the start a side Range could not and did not want to see, but slowly was revealed to him as they found themselves in dangerous situations.

“Your anger has never frightened me. I … understand. It makes sense. It’s an armor around you, shielding wounds you nurse, ones you think make you stronger.”

Ronie Kendig again mastered taking a very difficult subject, bring across the horrible situation, but in a sensitive way.

Review: Stone 

Review: Willow 

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

View all my reviews

About the book:

He's back and he's out for blood

Fed up with living in the shadow of his brothers, Range Metcalfe struck out to carve a name for himself—one written in the blood of many a terrorist. Now, he’s targeting the notorious Madam of Kandahar, who has trafficked children and women. Finally given the green light, he captures her and quickly finds himself entrenched up in a deadly encounter that forces him into the Afghan wilderness—with the madam.

Ten years as a trafficking victim Kasra Jazani has little left of her soul. No longer able to live with herself, she takes matters into her own hands and coordinates an escape, a massive coup against the man who has kept her and so many others captive. They flee into the night—right into the fierce and capable hands of American operators, who ruin everything and put lives at risk. Livid, she knows death is coming for them, because she also holds a very dangerous, very powerful secret: the name of the man at the top of the trafficking ring. Now that monster wants her—and her American protector—dead.

About the author:

Also see: Author Discovery: Ronie Kendig

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After thirty years of

marriage, she and her hunky hero are adventuring on the East coast, a short train ride from NYC with their retired military working dog and their Stealth Golden. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of raw, broken characters.

Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, the RT Reviewers' Choice Award (twice), the HOLT Medallion, the IRCA, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring. Find Ronie at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), GoodReads, and Instagram (www.instagram.com/kendigronie ).

Review: Dangerous Beauty

Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin
My rating: 💛💛💛

I enjoyed this second novel by this author more than the first. Things which bothered me in the first - too much focus and in depth thoughts on physical attraction - was improved on in the second - the characters did acknowledge deep attraction, but nothing that left me uncomfortable.

The suspense plot about the human trafficking was saddening. Meric was strong and made me think of James Bond - never looses a fight but did get hurt. Liliana was also strong and did not let what happened to her overcome her.

This author has an unique style. It is difficult to compare her to some of my favourite suspense writers, because the style is quite different for me.

I really wanted more of a Christian theme and that God is the one who saves and protect, not people. It felt like Liliana only saw Meric as her protector and saviour and for a Christian publisher, want the focus on the on true God.

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


View all my reviews

About the book:

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safely over the border in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

Melissa Koslin throws you right into the middle of the action in this high-stakes thriller that poses the question: What is the price of freedom?

About the author:

Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books. She and Corey, her husband of twenty years, live in Jacksonville, Florida, where they do their best not to melt in the sun.

Weekend Wrap-up: October 9th

 

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

We enjoyed our vacation break away - wished it was longer - but it was well needed and we had a lot of fun.  Some holiday highlights:

I did not manage to read as much as I hoped I would - but we made a lot of memories and that is sometimes more important than getting to that TBR list.

Finished

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading

Limited movement in these:

Next up:

Some great books up on my TBR.

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? NONE 😁

Monthly Recap: September 2022

 

 I first saw this monthly reflections idea on: Christian bookshelf reviews

September also had a lot more social events and we went away on a mini vacation, which is also the reason for this late monthly recap.  My actual reading deviated a lot from my plans, but I still read a few good books I really enjoyed:

What I've read:

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

What I would like to read in October:

Currently Reading:

Struggling a bit to really get into my paperbacks.

Upcoming reads (hopeful):

Did I buy any new books?

Bought:

I was good and only bought one book.

Did I read everything I wanted too?

No, had to carry over the same list to October, but slowly ticking off some of these.

ARC/Netgalley update:

ARC/Netgalley books downloaded this month:

ARC/Netgalley books read and reviewed:

How was your month?

Can't Wait Wednesday! The Secrets of Emberwild

 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 will be a new-to-me author, but when I read the book summary, it captured my interest and I wanted to know more! This one releases October.

About the book: The Secrets of Emberwild

A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They're easier to handle, they're more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father's passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father's death--even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he's come to admire.

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Defending Honor

Defending Honor by Lynette Eason
My rating: 💛💛💛💛💛

“That’s just it. You’re fighting battles that aren’t even yours. You’re so busy putting up walls and keeping people out that you’re too tired to fight for the things you want. The things that matter.”

Oh wow, Kelly Underwood delivered a great suspense at the same high standard I have come to know and love from Lynette Eason.

The suspense started right from the start and never ended. There were so many different people who could have been behind everything, and at one point I had a very strong feeling it was a specific character, which turned out to be the right feeling to have. However, with all the different suspects and possibilities, I didn’t have that strong feeling more towards the end – which I prefer – I just hate it when I guess the bad guy and plot twists right from the start.

As like with Lynette Eason’s stories, the romance in this story also took a backseat to the suspense, however, fans who enjoy romance will not feel neglected. It was a while since I’ve read a story where I really really wanted two characters to become a couple like I did with this one. I just loved the characters individually, but even more together as a team.

This book kept me up late, devouring each page to see how it will end.

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

Review book 1: Driving Force

Review book 2: Impending Strike

Review of the Elite Guardian series by Lynette Eason  - this collection brings readers back to   Lynette Eason's popular series:

1. Always Watching

2. Without Warning

3. Moving Target

4. Chasing Secrets 

View all my reviews

About the book:

She trusts no one…

Bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz is all business. Tough and stoic, she was the perfect Mossad agent…until a terrible betrayal led to her worst nightmare. Being a bodyguard with the Elite Guardians allows her to keep her heart safe—she’ll never get involved with a client, never let anyone close enough to betray her again. And she’s certainly not going to trust anyone who doesn’t earn it.

He needs protection…

Billionaire Preston Whittaker walked away from his famous family after a terrible event, but he’s put that behind him—or so he thinks. When his father and brother are killed in a suspicious boating accident, he must take the helm of the family business and carry on the family legacy. But someone doesn’t want him at the helm. They want him dead.

She’ll have to pretend to be his wife to save his life…

Enter the Elite Guardians. Preston is going to need someone by his side 24/7, and the only solution is…a fake marriage. Laila needs to pull off acting as the trophy wife to the country’s most eligible bachelor. With the eyes of the paparazzi on them, she’ll have to convince everyone that she and Preston are in love.

But what will it cost her heart?

Preston’s reputation as a party playboy precedes him, and Laila doesn’t belong in his world filled with parties and money. But is there more to Preston Whittaker that the world doesn’t see? Maybe, in time, he’s someone Laila could learn to trust. Only problem is, the danger is closer than they both know…and time is running out.

Book three of the riveting, high-octane world of the Elite Guardians reboot!

About the book:

Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking

coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. She writes book reviews for her blog Best in Suspense and is an active member of the Central Florida chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you have to read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably on her back patio with a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

• Writes book reviews for BestInSuspense.com
• Selected as a draft author with Sunrise Publishing
• Mentored by Lynette Eason for the Elite Guardians Collection
• Debut novel, Defending Honor, will be released October 4, 2022
• Signed two contracts with Sunrise Publishing for more Elite Guardian novels in 2023 and 2024