Book Recommendation - Long Way Home

 

Lynn Austin has been one of my go-to authors for women's fiction as well as historical for many years. Her writing style is fluid, her characters relatable and her story lines intriguing. Her upcoming release is no different. Taking place during and after WWII, this book follows the "long way home" that soldiers took after the war to recover who they were previously. The story surrounds a young soldier named Jimmy. Before the war, he was a veterinarian student, well loved and compassionate. After the war, he finds himself in the VA hospital after trying to kill himself. His friend and neighbor, Peggy, works to piece Jimmy's timeline together in order to find out what happened and discovers his long way home. 

As a recipient of the author's newsletter, I learned a few behind the scenes bits about the book:

This book was written in honor of the author's dad, who joined the navy at age 18 and fought in WWII in the Pacific. While he didn't talk much about his experiences, Ms. Austin noted that he struggled with certain facets of every day life, such as crossing a long bridge which would bring anxiety for him. Psychiatry was in its infancy those days, and some of the treatments prescribed to young Jimmy were actual treatments used on soldiers returning with what we now call PTSD. Here's a picture of the author's dad in his Navy uniform.

One of my favorite characters in the book is a dog named Buster. He plays an important role in Peggy's life and also helps some of the soldiers that Jimmy encounters in an interesting way. Buster was inspired by the author's sister's dog, Franny. Here's a photo of Lynn Austin and Franny along the Hudson River, which is near where Jimmy and Peggy grew up.

Another part of this book that was interesting to me was the journey of a young Jewish German girl named Gisela. She and her family were passengers on a ship fleeing from Germany after Kristallnacht. This element of the story had enough details that I wondered if it was actually true and indeed it was. I found this information on the journey of the St. Louis. How heartbreaking it must have been for those folks to have their journeys follow such a path!

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/voyage-of-the-st-louis

Due to the heavily emotional content of this story and the realism portrayed in how the soldiers and Jews were affected by the war, this book felt a little "heavier" than Ms. Austin's prior novels, but still contained her beautiful writing style and wonderful characters. I would recommend to fans of historical fiction! This book releases on June 21, 2022 wherever books are sold!

For additional information, check out the links below:

Lynn Austin's website: https://lynnaustin.org/

Lynn Austin's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LynnAustinBooks

My full 4.5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4724319445

Book Recommendation - The Apostle's Sister

 

Angela Hunt has long been a go-to author of mine. She's one of the few I can say I've been reading for decades now and she still releases stellar books! She writes multiple genres, but one of my favorites is Biblical fiction. This book is the 4th book of the Jerusalem Road series, but stands on its own. The other books in the series happen in the same general timeline (during and directly after the life, death and resurrection of Christ), but the story lines don't necessarily cross over. Of the series, I do believe this one was my favorite. Having grown up with a dad, an uncle and a grandpa named Paul (true story!), the apostle by the same name was frequently alluded to in family gatherings. And in studying several of his letters and the book of Acts in Bible quizzing has made me more than a bit familiar with the famous apostle. And though I knew he had a sister and though I knew he hailed from Tarsus, I didn't give either of those facts a passing thought. This book gave me a better understanding both of where Paul came from (and how he was born both a Jew and Roman citizen) and how both his zeal and his conversion may have impacted his family, and in particular his sister. While much of the book is speculation (we don't even know his sister's name), the historical setting and events are rooted in research and taken directly from Scripture itself. I enjoyed learning more about this timeframe and getting wrapped up in a story of the family of the Apostle Paul. 

Here's the back cover blurb for those interested in what the book is truly about:

Aya, daughter of Zebulon of Tarsus, does not want a traditional life. Because she has always lived in the shadow of her brilliant brother, she wants to use her gifts and be something more than a wife and mother. When her traditional father insists she marry Avidan, a Torah student, she reluctantly agrees, but when Avidan leaves for Jerusalem, she seizes an opportunity to fulfill her deepest yearning, realizing she may never have another chance to do so. 

After moving to Jerusalem, she expects to be bored in her role as wife to a Torah student, but is fascinated by her husband’s studies. And when her brother Sha’ul makes a life-altering decision, she finds herself faced with a troubling question: how can she remain true to all she’s been taught and still love her blasphemous brother? 

This book releases June 7, 2022 wherever books are sold. If you need some great reading in the interim, the other 3 books in this series are out and are also absolutely fabulous:

For more information, check out the following links:

Angela Hunt's website: https://www.angelahuntbooks.com/

Angela Hunt's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Angela.e.hunt

My full 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4716682798?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Book Recommendation - In Honor's Defense

 

One of my absolute favorite authors for historical romance is Karen Witemeyer. She pulls in humor, a good plot-line, great character development, and a solid faith thread - every single time. This book was no different. This is book 3 in the Hanger's Horsemen series, but it can stand alone. However, fans of the series will enjoy seeing the other horsemen in the background and seeing how they're doing. Luke (aka "Preach") has been my favorite of the horsemen, so I was glad to finally get his story. Here's a summary of the book:

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life--for respect, for country, and most recently, for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nate, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have.

When Nate stumbles into the path of the rustlers Luke is tracking, Luke acts to protect him and winds up gravely injured. Feeling indebted, Damaris nurses Luke back to health. But suspicions grow regarding the death of her brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.

As a member of the author's "posse pals" on Facebook, I was privy to some "behind the scenes" info on this one. Here's a bit from the author's Q&A from her publisher:

In Honor’s Defense is the final book in the Hanger’s Horsemen series. What do readers have to look forward to in this thrilling conclusion?

The action keeps coming! A murder mystery, rustlers, deadly peril, and of course, lots of swoon-worthy romance.

Are there any threads that run through the whole series that will be wrapped up in this book?

Each book in the Hanger's Horsemen series can be read as a stand-alone novel. There are no sweeping threads that connect the three stories beyond the relationship of the Horsemen themselves. All four Horsemen will ride together again in this conclusion, and we'll even get to meet their silent partner – Francis Kendall, the reporter who wrote articles on the Horsemen's exploits and who helped connect the Horsemen with people who needed their help.

What was the inspiration for the characters In Honor’s Defense?

Luke's character had been building through the series, so his inspiration came from earlier novels in the series. Known for his strength, his size, and his skill with his fists, I modeled him after a pair of football players, Howie Long and JJ Watt. He's a man of action with a bit of wildness inside, yet his ability to memorize Scripture earned him the nickname Preach. A godly man with scars seeking to find his place as his Horsemen brothers move on to new phases of life. Damaris, on the other hand, was inspired by someone much closer to home. I gave her two of my favorite hobbies—reading and cross-stitching. She's also a quiet person who dislikes making waves, but when family needs her, there's nothing she won't do to help. Her questionable baking skills might also have found some inspiration in personal experience. Just ask my husband about my famous transparent chocolate chip cookies.

Your main characters, Luke Davenport and Damaris Baxter, are polar opposites. Did you find it difficult to write from these two different perspectives?

I love to explore what brings people together, and while it's a common idea that opposites attract, I've always believed that there must be some core commonalities beneath the differences to bind a couple together for a lifetime. So, while Luke and Damaris seem to be stark opposites—he an adventure-seeking soldier used to solving problems with guns and fists, she a quiet, proper lady used to escaping problems with books and needlework—they actually have several core commonalities. They both seek belonging and family, they both value God's Word, and they both have a strong, protective instinct toward those they care about. This core common ground is what serves as the foundation for their relationship.

Here are some pictures of the inspirations behind the characters (I always love a visual aid!)

This book releases on June 7, 2022, wherever books are sold. This is one I'd definitely recommend!

For additional information, please check out the following links:

Karen Witemeyer's website: https://www.karenwitemeyer.com/

Karen Witemeyer's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KarenWitemeyersAuthorPage

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4430935729

Book Recommendation - Fatal Code

 

Natalie Walters is one of my go-to authors when it comes to romantic suspense. She always has a good blend of the romance and suspense elements and her characters are always fun and quirky, adding a good dose of humor to her novels. I'm always excited when she has a new book coming out and devour it as soon as I can get my hands on it. This was no different with her upcoming release, Fatal Code. Fatal Code is book 2 in the SNAP Agency series. The story line can stand alone, but I would recommend getting some additional history by reading Initium (prequel novella) and Lights Out (book 1) first. 

Here's a little bit about the book:

In 1964, a group of scientists called the Los Alamos Five came close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the United States government when they were abruptly disbanded. Now the granddaughter of one of those five scientists, aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell, discovers that she has highly sensitive information on the project in her possession--and a target on her back.

 

SNAP agent and former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is tasked with monitoring Elinor. This is both convenient since she's his neighbor in Washington, DC, and decidedly inconvenient because . . . well, he kind of likes her.

 

As Elinor follows the clues her grandfather left behind to a top-secret nuclear project, Kekoa has no choice but to step in. When Elinor learns he has been spying on her, she's crushed. But with danger closing in on all sides, she'll have to trust him to ensure her discoveries stay out of enemy hands.

 

Natalie Walters sucks you into the global race for space domination in this perfectly paced second installment of her SNAP Agency romantic suspense series.

As a member of Ms. Walters' launch team for this book, I was privy to some insider information I'd like to share with you:

This book is filled with Hawaiian culture as Kekoa is from Hawaii and he has found a group of Hawaiians in DC to become his "ohana" away from home. I enjoyed hearing the dialect, and learning more about the culture and the food of native Hawaiians. As the author recently resided in Hawaii and her husband is a native, there was definitely some realism in those elements! Here are some non-fiction facts in Fatal Code:

• Aoki's Shave Ice is a real location on the North Shore and it's the only place where we get the delicious treat.
• Kekoa's middle name and his father's name is the author's son's middle name, named after her husband's grandfather. 
• Lepley Dynamics is named after the author's husband's Sergeant Major when they were in Hawaii.
• Uncle Danny is a dear friend, military brother, and local islander of the author, who she met while stationed in D.C. and invited them to our first 808 party, we've been ohana ever since.
• SPAM musubi's are a real thing and Ms. Walters and her husband will be hosting a live cooking event on social media to demonstrate how to make this favorite local treat. 

This book releases May 3, 2022, wherever books are sold. You will definitely want to pick up a copy of this one! For some additional information, check out the links below:

Natalie Walters' website: https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com/

Natalie Walters' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041917969557

Natalie Walters' Pintrest board for Fatal Code: https://pin.it/46eU2nO

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4675862924

Book recommendation - US Marshals series

 

When looking for romantic suspense novels that are clean and faith-based, I don't need to look any further than Lisa Harris. Her recent US Marshals series is one of my favorites of hers. This series follows Jonas Quinn and Madison James, 2 US Marshals who have been partnered together through some pretty exciting adventures. There are a couple of ongoing story arcs - Madison is trying to figure out who murdered her husband 5 years ago - and there is a romance brewing between Madison and Jonas. If you only read one of the stories, you'll miss the full story arcs of these 2 items, but each main story stands alone. The Catch is the final installment and it releases April 5, 2022. There will also be a novella that ties the US Marshals to a prior series of the author, Nikki Boyd. As another favorite series of hers, I look forward to reading that connection as well!

Here's a bit about the books:

The Escape:

US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are thrust into a high-profile case when they are called on to transport two prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest.

When Madison and Jonas regain consciousness, they find both pilots and one prisoner dead--and one fugitive on the run. They'll have to negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry through Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado while tracking a murderer who is desperate to disappear--and will do anything to stop them.

This high-octane game of cat-and-mouse from bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris will have your heart pumping as you try to catch a fugitive with nothing to lose

The Chase: 

US Marshal Madison James may not be sure who shot her three months ago, but she does know one thing--it's time to get back out into the field. When her partner, Jonas Quinn, receives a message that a federal warrant just came in on a man connected to a string of bank robberies, Madison jumps at the chance to get back to work. What she and Jonas find is a bank robbery in progress that's gone wrong--and things are about to get worse.

For these bank robbers, it's never been just about the money. It's about taking risks and adrenaline rushes, and getting caught is not part of the game. When the suspects escape, Madison and Jonas must hunt them down and bring them to justice before someone else--someone close to them--gets hurt . . . or worse.

From Seattle to the San Juan Islands, bestselling author Lisa Harris takes you on a nonstop chase where feelings are complicated and failure isn't an option. 

The Catch:

After a harrowing attempt on a judge's life at the courthouse, Deputy US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are tasked with finding a missing woman and an endangered child in connection to the murder of the judge's wife. What seems like a fairly straightforward case becomes hopelessly tangled when the marshals discover that the woman they are searching for is in witness protection and the Amber Alert put out for the missing child has put two lives in danger.

Madison and Jonas are forced into a race to find the woman and the child before the men who want her dead discover her location. And in a final showdown that could cost her everything, Madison will come face-to-face with the person who murdered her husband.

USA Today bestselling author Lisa Harris concludes her thrilling US Marshals series with this breathless tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and ultimately, justice prevailing.

The Escape and The Chase are available now and The Catch is out on April 5th wherever books are sold  Point Blank, the novella that ties this series to the Nikki Boyd series is part of the Heroes in the Crossfire novella collection, which comes out June 1, 2022. Here's a bit about that one:

From USA Today Best-selling author, Lisa Harris, comes a novella that brings together fan-favorite characters from two of her series—Nikki Boyd, her husband Tyler, and Jack Spencer from her best-selling Nikki Boyd Files Series, and Madison James and Jonas Quinn from her more recent US Marshal Series. When one of Nikki’s teammates is killed during a routine training exercise at a shoot house, deadly secrets are revealed as evidence of murder surfaces. Now, the remaining team is caught up in a highly personal case that pulls them into a tangled web of deception as they race to find a killer.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is a series you won't want to miss! See links below for some additional information:

Lisa Harris's website: http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/

Lisa Harris's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaHarris

My Full 5-star review for The Catch: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4089846102?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Book Review - All That it Takes

When it comes to contemporary stories with ALL the feels, along with depth, faith and humor, I have to look no further than Nicole Deese. Her contemporary romance novels have such intricate story lines and character development that I forget that I'm reading a romance novel. This book, dealing with heavy topics like abortion, single parenthood and feelings of isolation, delved in with grace and compassion. And a bit of humor sprinkled in. I went from laughing out loud to openly weeping as I read this one. 

Here's a bit about the book:

When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she'd planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend's brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers' mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val's community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord. 

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he's also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects--not the least of which is pursuing Val--without stopping to consider the future. 

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they'll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

As part of the author's launch team, I was able to get some "behind the scenes" looks and I'm happy to pass along to you the visual cues I got. Here are some looks at visuals for the main characters of this book - Val and Miles. Some descriptions are to the side of their pictures:

Characteristics: Intelligent, gentle, creative, compassionate, kind, researcher by nature, steadfast, slow-to-speak/slow-to-anger, mindful/thoughtful, selfless, dependable, reliable, responsible, nurturer. 

Struggles: Insecurity over physical differences/limitations, doesn’t like to ask/recieve help, fear of the unknown, fear of not being seen as competent, underestimates her strengths, prone to overthinking/anxiety

Characteristics: Adveturous, spontaneous, determined, charming, good sense of humor, sacrificial, generous, kingdom-minded, servant hearted, bold, affectionate, DIY-lover, outdoorsy, loves travel and new experiences

Struggles: Being still, patience, easily bored, holds a grudge, impulsive

This book releases on April 5, 2022 wherever books are sold. It's one I can solidly recommend regardless of genre of choice and will easily be one of my top reads for this year! For more information, check out the links below:

Nicole Deese's website: https://www.nicoledeese.com/

Nicole Deese's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeeseauthor

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4273955090
 

Book Recommendation - The Souls of Lost Lake

 

When I'm in the mood for a dual timeline that has a bit of everything - some creep-tastic suspense, a little romance, an intense mystery that spans generations, some spiritual truth, and ALL the feelings, I know I don't need to look any further than Jaime Jo Wright. This one is among my favorites of hers and will definitely be one of my top reads of 2022. Here's a little bit about the book:

Wren Blythe has long enjoyed being among the Northwoods, helping her father with programming at a youth camp. But when a little girl in the area goes missing, an all-out search ensues, reviving the decades-old campfire story of Ava Coons, the murderess, who still roams the woods. Joining the search, Wren stumbles upon the Coons cabin ruins and a rotting porcelain doll. But even more terrifying is seeing her name etched on the doll's foot like a sinister omen.

In 1930, Ava Coons has spent the last ten years carrying the mantle of mystery since she emerged from the forest as an eight-year-old girl, spattered with blood, dragging a logger's axe. She has accepted she'll never remember what happened to her family. When a member of the town of Tempter's Creek is murdered, rumors spread that Ava's secret is more malicious than previously imagined.

Both women discover that to save the innocent, they must face an insidious evil.

Sounds amazing, no? Believe me, it is!

One thing that Ms. Wright and I have in common is the recent loss of a parent. I lost my dad in December of 2020 and she lost her mom a few months later. There's a scene in this novel that I'm convinced was a mirror of her experience in that loss and it totally gutted me. While I often find myself tearing up during sad scenes in novels, this one wrecked me and left me sobbing. The emotional intensity was legit. If you've faced a recent loss (or maybe not so recent even), just be aware there is a gut-wrenching loss that takes place in this book. There is also a theme of missing children and mental health issues - which were handled very well, but could be triggers for some. This book brought out all the feelings. There was a happy-ish ending in both timelines - and the twists were ones that I definitely did not see coming! This was an excellent story and one I'd definitely recommend! This one releases April 1, 2022, wherever books are sold!

Some additional links for digging deeper:

Jaime Jo Wright's website: https://www.jaimewrightbooks.com/

Jaime Jo Wright's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeJoWright

Jaime Jo Wright's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/jaimejowright/

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4115866833