For fans of family drama and epic settings

Sunrise by Susan May Warren gives readers a thrilling ride through the Alaska wildlife. Dodge Kingston heads home after years of running from his past. He intends to stay long enough to help his dad with the business. But he can’t hide forever from Echo Yazzie, the woman that broke his heart years ago.

There’s plenty of emotional drama in this story as well as real dangers from the wilderness. Dodge and Echo each have to overcome their own past issues to be able to find love. Echo is a strong woman who knows her way around the Alaska wilderness. I fell in love with her tenacity and fearlessness. But what steals the stage in this story is the scenery and setting. Whether flying through the sky or trekking on a sled pulled by dogs, this story takes readers into the depths of Alaska. Dodge and Echo have to contend with bears, poachers, and freezing temperatures to name a few of the hazards of life in Alaska. The author captures the breathtaking scenery and paints a picture that makes me feel like I’m part of the story.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves epic family dramas and of course the scenery of Alaska! This story ends with a set-up for the second book in the series (Sunburst) and I can’t wait to read this. Talk about intense. Susan May Warren knows how to bring readers heart-warming characters with tons of drama and action. This is going to be an epic series!

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and 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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For fans of intriguing plots, fact pace action and danger

Dead Silence is a fast-paced suspense novel that puts readers into the action right from the start. Elise Carmichael is able to read lips due to her hearing impaired son. She “overhears” a conversation about a murder plot. Things intensify when mysterious packages show up at her house, threatening her and her family.

Robin Caroll’s novels are always full of mystery and intrigue. Elise had many struggles before being threatened, as she suddenly found herself as a single mother and a widow. Her plight to protect her son and find herself again makes her a likable character. Lots of plot twists will readers engaged throughout the story. But I did find a few situations in the novel not entirely believable. While Elise is a strong and fierce character, she does act unrealistic when she decides to solve crimes with the help of a news reporter.  Elise at times seems oblivious to the danger around her. She withholds a lot of information from the FBI, which would have helped their investigation. It seemed like the FBI bumbled through the investigation while the “rookies” of the story were able to find out more than the agents. I wished the FBI story line had more substance. FBI Agent Rodriguez had the potential to be a strong character, but he didn’t take charge and seemed pretty passive for an FBI agent. However, this didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.

Definitely add Dead Silence to your TBR list– despite my comments above, the story is full of action and suspense and is an enjoyable novel.

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 gritty dramas, complex plots, and high seas adventure

The Water Keeper is a wild ride. The complex plot and broken characters put me through the emotional wringer.

Charles Martin is an off-the-charts amazing writer. His stories are rich with imagery and complex characters that work their way into your heart.  Murphy Shephard takes his boat down the coast of Florida, picking up off the wall, broken misfits with more baggage than his boat can carry. But Murphy has his own secrets, as he’s made it his life’s mission to hunt down missing women who’ve been trafficked.

The story is complex and at times weird. It took me a while to wrap my head around what was happening. So many plot twists kept me guessing, and this story is much darker and seedier than other Martin novels. The author drags readers right into the ick and evil of human trafficking.

This book has a lot of high action scenes. But at times I struggled with the reality of some of the scenes. The hero and his dog both seemed to be bullet and fire proof, and several times I found myself saying, “Really? How can that happen?”  While some of the scenarios didn’t seem plausible, the story was so good that I willingly suspended my belief. Other parts made me question, “Why would that happen?” as there were a few uncomfortable moments that made me question character motives. I don’t want to give spoilers, but the author isn’t going to deliver you a tidy story wrapped up in a bow. It’s going to leave you with questions and unsettled feelings. 

Despite my thoughts above, I loved this novel. It’s one of those stories that sticks with you long after you’ve put it down. I love when authors take chances and write something different. Some Martin fans might not hang in there through this one, but I enjoyed the characters and the overarching themes about love and evil. I like that the novel isn’t what I expected, and hope readers will embrace it for being “off the beaten path.” Figuratively, and literally – because much of the story takes place in alligator infested swamps, rivers and back-woods Florida.

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 drama, triumph over tragedy and lovably flawed characters

The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives readers everything you’d expect from a Rachel Hauck novel. While not adrenaline-pumping suspense, the story has plenty of intrigue. The author brings several characters to life as they each receive a mysterious invitation to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society.

Jett Wilder carries the burden of his brother’s death and his recent divorce into the Society. Lexa Wilder, Jett’s ex, doesn’t know how to cope with a demanding job and lingering feelings from the divorce. Chuck Mays is rough around the edges and just wants to see his kids. Coral Winthrop brings a broken engagement under mysterious circumstances to the table. Ed Marshall wants to write a love story to tell the world about his late wife.  The group decides to continue meeting even though they have no idea how they were brought together.

This story brings out all of the emotion and drama a reader can handle. I enjoyed these characters and their complex problems. I enjoy a large cast of characters told from multiple viewpoints, and not all authors could make this work.  But the way the members of the Society interact is heart-warming. Rachel Hauck peels back the layers of the characters as they come to grip with their own inner demons while relying on the help of a group of strangers.

If you are looking for a heart-warming and inspiring read with complex characters and a story line that will linger long after you put down the book, look no further than The Fifth Avenue Story Society.

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

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