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