Book Spotlight Fridays! Cold Light of Days and Lethal Intentions

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.

This week I am featuring two books. The first I just finished and really enjoyed and the other one I just started and actually surprised that it grabbed my attention so quickly.  The second is from a new to me author, so you never know if it will be a hit or miss.  

Cold Light of Day

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.

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Book Beginnings

I never should have come.

Friday 56

This news...changed everything.

My thoughts so far

This was a great attention grabbing suspense.  

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Lethal Intentions

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.

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

Book Beginnings

Undercover ATF agent Jack spencer lived by one hard and fast rule: Don't get attached. No exceptions.

Friday 56

She bit her lower lip. "It was. Especially when everybody in town knew about your parents and how they made money."

My thoughts so far

This one grabbed my attention quickly, and made me read longer than planned.  I hope that remains throughout the novel.     

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Review: Possession

Possession by Rene Gutteridge
My rating: 💛💛💛

Possession was a suspenseful, thrilling ride with quite a few twists and turns which kept the reader guessing on what will happen next.

The life of a detective, the gruesome events seen and the effect on those in the service was handled quite well.

The faith of a child was so strong and well delivered throughout this story.


View all my reviews

About the book:

In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, police detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure that his family’s new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance’s past. In an unforgettable climax, a little boy’s innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees. What is at stake counts for everything, but nothing can prepare Vance for who is behind it.

About the author:

Rene Gutteridge is the award-winning and best-selling author of more than eighteen novels, including the beloved Boo Series and Heart of the Country, her novelization release with director John Ward and Tyndale House Publishers. Her recent suspense titles include Listen, Possession and the award-winning Seven Hours project Escapement. She's been published by Bethany House, Tyndale House, WaterBrook Press, Thomas Nelson and B&H and novelized the successful motion picture The Ultimate Gift. She is teaming again with screenwriter Cheryl McKay for the romantic comedy Greetings from the Flipside from B&H and releasing her new suspense title, Misery Loves Company from Tyndale in 2013. Her romantic comedy Never the Bride won the 2010 Carol Award for Best Women’s Fiction. Her upcoming literary projects include the novelization of the motion picture Old Fashioned with Tyndale House Publishers and filmmaker Rik Swartzwelder.

Her adaptation of her novel My Life as a Doormat is in development with Kingdom Pictures and she is also a creative consultant for Boo, a film based on her best-selling novel, in development at Sodium Entertainment with Cory Edwards attached as director and Andrea Nasfell as screenwriter. She is also co-writer in a collaborative comedy project called Last Resort with screenwriters Torry Martin and Marshal Younger. Her screenplay Skid is currently in production and scheduled to begin filming in April of 2013. Find her on Facebook and Twitter or at her website, www.renegutteridge.com

Review: A Promise to Remember

A Promise to Remember by Kathryn Cushman
My rating: 💛💛💛

This was a beautiful story about two women’s journey through loss, grief, acceptance and ultimately forgiveness.

Both women’s journeys were heartbreaking and the contrast between the two lifestyles, including how people supported each women played an impact in their healing journey.

I enjoyed how the focus throughout the book the story was on God’s love, forgiveness, and healing power.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

When a car accident kills two teens from opposite sides of the tracks, the aftermath threatens to tear a community apart. On one side, Melanie Johnston - a grieving single mother - is convinced her son will be forgotten. On the other is Andie Phelps, a reserved woman who retreats even further into herself with grief.

These two sympathetic characters fight her own way through grief and pain - sometimes wisely and sometimes with choices that have the power to divide family, church, and even their small, seaside town.

About the author:

Author Kathryn "Katie" Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy.

She is the author of ten novels, including the newly released, "The Plans We Made", which she co-authored with Lauren Beccue.

Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California.

Visit her Web site at www.kathryncushman.com

Review: Husband Auditions

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This was such a fun rom-com. There was so many hilarious moments with Meri following the 100 ways to get a husband list from 1950. The book was written in both Meri and Kai’s POV which added to the success of this story. When you read Meri’s POV, you would think Kai is this lazy, no goal oriented guy, but then you read Kai’s POV and realise there is so much more to him.

Gemma with her personality and ways to try out what she writes is possible (duct tape scene) added to the fun.

But, as much as this was a fun rom-com, there was also serious moments. There was Kai’s fear of rejection which kept him back a lot and then Meri’s misguided view of marriage and that misperception that all will be better and good once you are married. I liked how the author dealt with the fact marriage is not always picture perfect.

The ending was not what I expected and still not 100% sure if I liked it or wanted a different ending.

This was my first book by this author and will read more of the author’s rom coms in the future.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she's handed a strange present at the latest wedding--a 1950s magazine article of "ways to get a husband"--she decides there's nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can't get any more single, can she?

Her brother's roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love--Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it's an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she's looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

About the author:

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her

husband left her. Twelve years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky just filmed on location in Montana and will air in 2021. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.

Can't Wait Wednesday! Second Time Around

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 have been enjoying the contemporary stories I have read by Melody Carlson. This beautiful cover drew my attention.

About the book: Second Time Around

Who doesn't love a second chance?

When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.

With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home d�cor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.

She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Love/Valentine’s Day 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.

There is so many topics for this. My first thought was books with the word Heart, but wait, I have done that last here, so this time I am showing books on my TBR with hearts on the cover:

1.  Bookishly Ever After

2.  Molly

3.  Paper Hearts

4. Truly, Madly, Deeply

5.  The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck

6.  Plot Twist

7.  My Phony Valentine

8.  Love-Centred Parenting

Weekend Wrap-Up: February 12th

 

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

This weekend was HOT! So we spend 80% of the weekend in the swimming pool!

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? 

Downloaded one ARC this week: