TITLE:  Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps #1)
AUTHOR:  Lynette Eason
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Fast-paced Collateral Damage is a superb suspense novel, perfect for those who enjoy action, military-based ordeals, and romance. This is book one of a new series, so several characters were introduced in the beginning, making me thankful for a print copy—much easier to flip pages and check the identities when I became confused. It didn’t take long to recognize different personalities, evidence of skillful writing.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder plays a large role in this story, a reality too many deal with on a daily basis. I’d expected more evidence of faith in the struggle against its effects, but it was hardly mentioned. The other negative, on my part, is the horrific depravity revealed. I believe the author chose this subject matter out of courage and a desire to shed light, but it was more than I could handle.
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Collateral Damage is truly well written, as I expected from Lynette Eason, and would have earned five stars if not for the reasons mentioned above. I award it four stars and recommend it for those with tougher psyches than mine. I received this book from the publisher.
 

TITLE:  Aiming for Love (Brides of Hope Mountain, Book 1)
AUTHOR:  Mary Connealy
DATE:  2019
PUBLISHER: Bethany House Publishers
STARS: *****

Growing up in Colorado, Josephine Madson has been fascinated by but has shied away from the outside world--one she's been raised to believe killed her parents. When Dave Warden, a rancher, shows up to their secret home with his wounded father, will Josephine and her sisters risk stepping into the world to help or remain separated but safe on Hope Mountain?

Imagine yourself a young woman living in the high mountains of Colorado in the 1800s with only your two sisters for company. Your parents disappeared years ago, and ever since, Grandmother made sure you and your sisters feared the outside world. Grandfather, however, brought back stories from town whenever he went for supplies, sparking your intrigue. Since they died, you three young women have survived, even thrived with the knowledge handed down and your own skills.

This is the setting for Aiming for Love, a unique tale of worlds colliding—the sequestered sisters, one fearful and the other two hesitantly excited, and ranchers from “outside.” Jo stars in this book, her story beginning when she’s caught by the rancher boss when her curiosity gets the better of her. Before Dave Warden can figure out who Jo is and why she’s alone on the mountain, his parents arrive on the scene, his father gravely wounded.

What would you do?

I loved this book. Each of the main characters comes alive on the pages, as does the setting itself. Ma Warden won my admiration from her first appearance, and the uneasy but growing attraction between Jo and Dave kept the story humming.
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Highly recommended, Aiming for Love earns five stars. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

TITLE:  Christmas in Winter Hill
AUTHOR:  Melody Carlson
DATE:  2019
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages.

As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn't always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, "Where's the snow?" Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista's Christmas spirit before the big day?

If you love Christmas stories, Hallmark style, and a quick, sweet read, you’ll love Christmas in Winter Hill.

Krista and her young daughter Emily long for a place to belong, and those longings bring them from dry, sunny Arizona to the cool mountains of Washington. Emily can’t wait for Christmas—and especially snow, a wonder she’s never experienced. But Krista doubts her wisdom in making this particular move when she realizes Christmas, her least-favorite time of year, is a big deal in Winter Hill. And she’s in charge of the annual celebration.

Enter Connor Harris, the tall, handsome hero. From the time he shows up to help the Galloways move into their apartment, he is a steadying force and helpful friend—and maybe more.
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I agree with other reviewers who stated they could envision this book as a Hallmark movie. When I read it, the fluffy sweetness was just what I needed, a Christmasy confection without calories. Christmas in Winter Hill earns four stars. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

TITLE:  Deadly Deceit (Harbored Secrets Book Two)
AUTHOR:  Natalie Walters
DATE:  2019
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason: to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth—and the next big story—is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers—and her life. 

Deadly Deceit is a story of presumptions, suspicions, and learning to trust. When Vivian’s boss and mentor dies in spite of her best efforts, she becomes tangled in a web of deceit and danger.

The last time she spent time in Walton (in the previous book, Living Lies which I read but didn’t remember), Ryan saw her tenacity but not her compassion. His distrust of her and attraction to her create their own tension even as they are forced to work together to find the Watcher before he strikes again.

I enjoyed getting to know Ryan and Vivian through this story, even though I couldn’t picture them clearly. Vivian is referred to as a brunette beauty; I wanted more details on her and Ryan’s appearances to make them real in my mind.

The twists and turns in the plot line kept me reading and guessing—the mark of good suspense writing. Faith plays a part in both Vivian’s and Ryan’s character arcs, which I always appreciate.
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I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group. Deadly Deceit earns four stars.
 

TITLE:  Protecting Tanner Hollow
AUTHOR:  Lynette Eason
DATE:  2019
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

Lethal Homecoming
Nolan Tanner never got over Kallie Ainsworth's sudden, unexplained departure. Now when he comes to her rescue after an attempt on her life, all the old feelings come rushing back.

My take: I’d read this story previously and enjoyed reading it again. Family secrets abound and threaten in this well-written novella.

Homecomings should be sweet, right? Not for Kallie. Her abusive step-father was dead, so it should have been safe to return home, but she doesn’t even get to the lake house before an attempt is made to stop her permanently.

Nolan, the man Kallie loved and left, is now a detective in the small town of Tanner Hollow. He’s desperate to save Kallie, in spite of their past.

Plot twists and turns abound in this novella, making it a fast and anxious read. Five stars.

Lethal Conspiracy
When professional fundraiser Lillian Maloney sees her father's campaign manager commit murder, she goes on the run from the men he hires to kill her. A close call brings firefighter Jason Tanner to the rescue, but the killer is closing in . . .

My take: The back copy disappointed me (I’m glad I didn’t read it before diving into the story), because it included a bit of a spoiler. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the thick tension and fast pace of this novella.

A suicide attempt—at least that’s how it appears—starts this story with a bang. In the brief moments at the fire, Jason connects strongly with the victim, Lilly. When he realizes she’s a target, not suicidal, he determines to help her. No matter what.
Great characters and some surprising twists make this another fantastic read. Five stars.

Lethal Secrets
Someone wants Honor McBride dead. When Eli Murphy helps her change a flat tire and discovers the danger Honor is in, he longs to help--but Eli has secrets of his own that could get them all killed.

My take: When Honor and her five (yes, five!) children drive into Tanner Hollow, danger follows them. Eli is a terrific hero: tall, strong and red-haired. The secrets Honor carries kept me turning the pages, anxious for a happily-ever-after for her and Eli. The five kids add an extra measure of sweetness, and the townspeople warmed my heart.

The only issue I have with this one is not the story itself, but the back copy. After reading the novella twice, I could find no mention of dangerous secrets in Eli’s life. Did I miss it? Twice? However, the threats against Honor were dire enough to carry the story with plenty of tension. A great story, well told. Five stars.

Lethal Agenda
When Detective Derek St. John rescues a woman he's met only once before--and has never been able to forget--he finds himself falling for her. But he'll have to keep Claire Montgomery alive if they're to have a future together. 

My take: Derek visits his old friend in Tanner Hollow, Nolan Tanner (now sheriff), and immediately gets involved in a home invasion case. The victim? Claire, forensic supervisor and the woman he’d connected with month ago at a conference.

Levi, Claire’s autistic neighbor, won my heart right away with his stilted language and keen observations. His innocence relieved the tension, but only for a moment. The attacks on Claire continue, and they’re personal.

Another fast-paced, super-suspenseful story, Lethal Agenda wrapped up this four-novella series with a bang. Several bangs. A quick and at times breathless read, it also earns five stars.

Conclusion: Author Lynette Eason has mastered the art of suspenseful romances, with compelling characters, great settings, and plots the keep the pages flipping. And she does it without graphic violence, a trait I greatly appreciate. All four stories in Protecting Tanner Hollow are stellar examples of what a romantic suspense should be.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher.

TITLE:  Stitches in Time
AUTHOR:  Suzanne Woods Fisher
DATE:  2019
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

Detachment had worked well as a life strategy for horse trainer Sam Schrock. Until he met Mollie Graber . . .

New to Stoney Ridge, schoolteacher Mollie has come to town for a fresh start. Aware of how fleeting and fragile life is, she wants to live it boldly and bravely. When Luke Schrock, new to his role as deacon, asks the church to take in foster girls from a group home, she's the first to raise her hand. The power of love, she believes, can pick up the dropped stitches in a child's heart and knit them back together.

Mollie envisions sleepovers and pillow fights. What the 11-year-old twins bring to her home is anything but. Visits from the sheriff at midnight. Phone calls from the school truancy officer. And then the most humiliating moment of all: the girls accuse Mollie of drug addiction.

There's only one thing that breaks through the girls' hard shell--an interest in horses. Reluctantly and skeptically, Sam Schrock gets drawn into Mollie's chaotic life. What he didn't expect was for love to knit together the dropped stitches in his own heart . . . just in time.

I loved this story! Stitches in Time begins with Luke Schrock, the recently reformed ne’er-do-well from Mending Fences, receiving an unwelcome assignment as deacon. His determination to prove himself worthy creates a steep learning curve and tension in his marriage to Izzy (also introduced in Mending Fences).

Izzy’s relationship with her sheep provides the central lessons in this sweet story—beautiful analogies of Jesus as our shepherd.
Newcomer Mollie, eager to live life to the fullest, and shy Sam need these lessons to heal their own pasts, and watching their hesitant relationship develop made me smile.

All four main characters, Mollie, Sam, Izzy and Luke, grow through this novel as they learn to follow the Good Shepherd.
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Stitches in Time earns five stars and is recommended. Book was provided by Baker Publishing Group.

​Have you ever seen an object that spoke to your soul? One that drew you closer, calling you to listen?

Let’s back up just a bit. For years, I’d harbored a deep desire to watch the art of glass blowing. I’d read about it and seen it in movies, but seeing it in person hovered near the top of my bucket list. The beauty of blown glass amazes me and makes me wonder: How is molten glass shaped into gorgeous and often useful pieces? How are colors added? What tools are used to perform what seems to me to be magic?

Last week, while enjoying a long-awaited holiday on Vancouver Island, I may have mentioned (more than once) that I’d love to visit the glass art shop just a couple of blocks from our rented cabin. My husband, my sister, and her husband graciously agreed to stop and check it out.

But it wasn’t just an art shop. As soon as we entered, I looked past the beautiful creations to the work area. Joy flooded me like the best kind of hot flash—they actually made the pieces right there! When the lady at the desk said the artist would begin his next project in a few minutes, I foresaw another dream coming true. We wandered through the small shop, exclaiming over the intricate details, graceful shapes and exquisite colors.

As promised, within minutes we were treated to a display of skill and artistry as the glass blower transformed a misshapen glob of molten glass into a lovely, multicolored vase. I was enthralled. I think we all were.

It was as wonderful as I’d hoped. Even better, though, was the glass art that spoke to me as I wandered through the enchanted shop. So much beauty! One could not rush, as each trinket and piece outshone the others. I thought I’d seen it all, when I glanced down. A basket on the floor held several glass hearts, swirls of color making them seem somehow alive.

As I gazed at them, my hand reached down and picked up one. It seems fanciful, I know, but it seemed as though it chose me. I knew immediately what it represented.

Within the thick, clear glass, this heart’s top portion is green, the color of life. The bottom part is a rich yet delicate pink, symbolizing love. Binding the two is a sparkling swirl of gold dust. Gold for grace, faith, and hope. And because it's glass, it's fragile and needs a gentle touch. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23). How amazing is that?

How the artist achieved this stunning work of art is a mystery, and now I hold this mystery in my hands. It is my birthday gift from my wonderful husband, one I will always cherish.

I’m convinced the entire experience was orchestrated by my Lord Jesus Christ, not only to show His love, but to remind me of the glorious riches of the mystery of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

​P.S. The photo doesn't do this precious heart justice, as reflections mar the image. May we always reflect the beauty of Christ, letting Him shine through us.

TITLE:  Dark Ambitions (Code of Honor #3)
AUTHOR:  Irene Hannon
DATE:  2019
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently--leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn't convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn't want them to succeed--and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

After reading some Christian suspense novels whose violence disturbed me, I was ready to give up on that category of books. But Irene Hannon has never failed me with either sweet romances or page-flipping suspense, so I gave Dark Ambitions a chance. I’m glad I did. Suspense? Definitely. Romance? Oh, yeah. Toe-tingling, in fact.

Ms. Hannon’s first two Code of Honor books had primed me to enjoy Dark Ambitions, and reconnecting with the crew at Phoenix Inc. was a joy. Heather, the “new girl” in a tight-knit group, quickly gained my admiration with her determination to succeed tempered by fear of another failure.

Rick makes a perfect hero—impressive good looks, deeply caring, unyielding in his quest for justice, and yet troubled by his past, too.
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The supporting cast of characters added much to the story, sometimes eliciting a smile. Even the villain evoked some sympathy, evidence of Ms. Hannon’s amazing talent. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and award it five stars. Recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of Dark Ambitions courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications and Baker Publishing Group.