The Crown Conspiracy by Connie Mann is such an adventure that readers won’t be able to put it down.

I love adventure stories, and who doesn’t love a few conspiracies thrown in with intriguing setting and characters? Sophie Williams is a professional art forger…well, maybe not a pro— she secretly paints forgeries to protect the real art. But she becomes a target when she uncovers a series of portraits that had been lost. Now everyone wants these paintings and will kill to get them. Sophie just wants to find her missing friend, but discovers that help comes in unlikely forms, like an ancient secret society called Speranza.

This story has a unique setting in Germany, but transports readers all over Europe. But what I loved about The Crown Conspiracy is all the twists and turns. So much action and suspense kept me hooked, but the characters drive the story. Sophie is likeable as the Robin Hood chameleon, always changing her look to get her closer to what she wants. And the other characters that step in to help her are equally intriguing. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves to read epic adventures with picturesque scenery and twisted mysteries.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Out for Blood by Ryan Steck gives readers a non-stop, run-for-your-life thrill ride. Matthew Redd kisses his family goodbye and runs for his life when he realizes he’s the target of a militant group. He faces bad guys, avalanches, and all kinds of danger. But despite being outgunned and outnumbered, Redd faces the danger head on.

I love a good action hero, and Matthew Redd is the best. He’s unstoppable, smart, and likeable. The story reminds me a bit of the Jack Reacher series, with the lone hero facing insurmountable odds. But in Out for Blood, Redd realizes he needs people in his life to survive. If you love action stories filled with conspiracies, explosions, and high tech weapons, you’ll love Out for Blood.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

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Fatal Domain by Steven James is a suspense-filled ride. Travis Brock (introduced in Broker of Lies) is back. Travis is trying to pick up the pieces of his life, but the bombs keep dropping. Terrorists are on the loose, and it’s up to Travis and his team to keep a new technology out of their hands. But he needs to work through the landmines of personal tragedy first – starting with exhuming his late wife’s body.

I recommend reading Broker of Lies first as Fatal Domain builds off of this story. I love the action, suspense, and intrigue! Travis is a likeable character and his eidetic memory helps him stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Travis and Adira also grow closer, but so many things stand in the way of their relationship. I love the twists and turns this book takes, and I recommend the whole series for any high stakes action lovers.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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One Final Target by Janice Cantore is a fast-paced suspense story that will hook you from start to finish. I enjoy stories that race against the clock to stop a killer, and this story delivers action, suspense, and emotion. Jodie King has faced one tragedy after another, and it seems that a killer is after her. But why? And who is behind it? Because all the clues point towards the killer being someone she knows. She meets Sam Gresham who helps her track down a killer while trying to stay alive.

I loved this book! Both Jodie and Sam are struggling with past traumas, and they form an instant connection. But with the danger surrounding them, they need to find out the identity of the killer before someone else dies. I highly recommend this for fans of suspense.

Bonus points for the audiobook –I thought the narrator did a good job of mixing the drama and emotion with the high action scenes. I highly recommend the audiobook for this story.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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The Libyan Diversion by Joel C. Rosenberg gives readers more Marcus Ryker! This is a fabulous series, one of my favorites, and I recommend starting with the Kremlin Conspiracy, because there are a lot of characters to keep track of and it helps to read in order (not required, but highly recommended.)

Marcus is on the hunt for terrorists. A radical terrorist cell is killing Americans, but it’s all smoke and mirrors. They are plotting a big attack on American soil, and it’s up to Marcus to convince the president of the danger. But Marcus is being blamed for a bombing that didn’t go right, one where innocent people were killed.

This novel is nail biting intense. Of course, it always comes down to the wire as Marcus tries to save the country. I love that this series is on par with Jack Ryan or Jack Reacher – one lone man takes on the toughest most vile terrorists to defend the innocent. I hope the series continues.

I received an ebook review copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Broker of Lies by Steven James gives readers an intricate story with non-stop action. Told from multiple points of view, the story focuses on Travis Brock, who has a super high clearance level with the Pentagon. He knows a lot of secrets but one alludes him: the truth about the fire that killed his wife. He teams up with Adira, who works on a different secret government project known as the Red Team. Together they uncover a potential terrorist attack but become targets as they go on the run.

I love this fast-paced story. I wasn’t sure I would like so many points of view, but it worked well to keep the edgy pacing and it was intriguing to see both hero and villain points of view. Travis and Adira made a great team and are both interesting characters, what with Travis’ eidetic memory, and Adira’s job of trying to smuggle weapons to test airport security.

Check out Broker of Lies for a thrilling story from start to finish.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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For fans of complex mysteries

All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon gives readers a mystery to solve through the eyes of an amateur detective. Annalee Spain, a young Black theologian, decides that since no one is going to investigate her father’s suspicious death, she will. She heads back home to her small-town roots, but trouble follows the minute she steps foot on the train to Denver. She meets a lost boy searching for his father, and the two team up with a pastor to uncover clues.

I enjoyed this complicated mystery. Annalee makes an excellent amateur sleuth, fearless at times, like when she faces off with the KKK. At other times she’s a bit naïve, especially when it comes to manners of the heart and Pastor Jack, who captures her interest. I like the quirky characters and the many red herrings as everyone has something to hide. The story is set in the 1920’s, and the only thing I wished for was more of a historical context. It didn’t feel like the 1920’s and felt more modern than historical fiction with the way the characters talked and the setting. Nothing really stood out as being distinctly from this time period. But I like that this is the start of a series, because I would definitely want more stories of Annalee solving mysteries with her side-kick Eddie and her love-interest pastor.  This combination is clever and I definitely want more.

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)

Suspense Rating:
4 stars (lots of action and suspense to keep me intrigued)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills gives readers a wild adventure. The story centers around Shelby Pearce, who just got of prison for murder. She tries to settle down in a small town, but her past haunts her. FBI agent Denton McClure has been tracking her for years, convinced she stole a large amount of money and he’s determined to find it. But he soon finds there’s much more to Shelby’s story, especially when someone wants her dead.

I like the fast-paced intensity of the story. This is more than a traditional who-done-it mystery. As I read, I kept wondering why and tried to figure out motives for several crimes plus the actions of a few characters. The plot is complex and twisted, but it takes on an emotional layer. There’s lots of betrayals and hidden agendas that kept me hooked until the very end. Not everything is as it seems.  I’m not usually a fan of first-person points of view, but I liked how this story switched between Shelby and Denton. It worked!

This is a great book for suspense fans! It has a nice level of complexity that made me think as well as be entertained.

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore gives readers insight into the inner workings of small-town police. Leah Radcliffe and her husband work for the department, but Brad has a bad temper and Leah hides his abuse from others. Leah is caught up in clearing her name after a self-defense shooting, with most of the town turning against her.  

This story isn’t as action-packed as some of Cantore’s other novels. Lots of suspense in trying to figure out who the good guys are vs the bad guys. But a lot of the story deals with Leah’s transformation. When everyone is against her and she’s in the darkest of circumstances, she realizes who she can trust and turns to God. The message is heavy on the spiritual aspects and internal struggles of Leah to find hope in the midst of some terrifying circumstances. There’s a budding romance with fellow officer Clint, one of the few people that believes Leah’s innocence.

Definitely a good story, though the topic is a heavy one with the subject of domestic abuse. Janice Cantore’s novels are always so realistic as she puts much of her police experience into the pages. This is definitely an intense read, but one with a message of hope weaved throughout.   

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)

Suspense Rating:
4 stars (lots of action and suspense to keep me intrigued)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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 For Fans of Historical Fiction and Drama

In a Far -Off Land gives readers a look into all the grit and drama of Hollywood in the 1930’s. I haven’t read too many stories set in the Depression era, but the author sets the stage with the contrast between over-indulgent socialites and obliterating poverty. Minerva Sinclaire decides to leave her humble small-town roots for the lure of Hollywood stardom. Thinking she can make money as an actress, she sets out to earn enough to keep her family’s farm from going under. But she enters a world of corruption and winds up losing everything, especially her identity.

I love a few things about this story. The time period and setting seemed magical with the celebrities and scenery of old-timey Hollywood. But just a few blocks down the road, communities were devastated by the Depression with unimaginable poverty.  The author really brought to light the social issues of the times.

I also liked that this story is a modern-day retelling of the prodigal son. In this case, daughter, but the story was filled with redemption and meaning. The spiritual lessons jump off the pages as a reminder that no matter how bad things get, we are still loved.  Forgiveness isn’t a dream from a far-off land.

While not fast-paced, this novel brings emotional depth to the characters and I found this to be a meaningful and well-crafted story. I definitely recommend, especially for any fans of historical fiction.

4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)3 stars (some suspenseful moments)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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