Review: Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles

Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Bloom Books
Publication Date: March 2026

Braedyn Winslow never expected to return to Starlight Grove—the town that took everything from her. Not after her best friend, the one who’d sacrificed so much for her, vanished without a trace. But with a young son to raise and a past that won’t stay buried, Brae is back…and determined to uncover the truth.

She just didn’t count on the brooding, reclusive mountain man living next door.

Dex Archer is the stuff of local legend—silent, rugged, and surrounded by whispers of his and his brothers’ violent father. But Brae sees through the scowl and his parentage to the man beneath: fiercely loyal, unexpectedly kind…and just dangerous enough to protect her when someone starts warning her off her search.

The closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to stay away from Dex. And as things get more perilous, Brae realizes the only person she can rely on is the one man who swore never to trust again.

Only someone isn’t happy that Brae has been digging, and they’ll do anything to stop her. But Dex? He’ll do anything to save her, even slip back into the dark…

Across the Vanishing Sky is the first book in the Starlight Grove series.  This one involves Dex who has shown up in a a few of this author's other books.  He has always intrigued me, so I was excited to finally get his story.  Dex moves back to his hometown and moves in next door to Braedyn and her young son.  Braedyn has moved to town to continue searching for her best friend who has disappeared a year earlier while they were on a hike.  

This book met all of my expectations.  I love how this author can always take me by surprise with the mystery reveal in the end.  I am constantly surprised by her reveals.  I think that is why I keep reading her books.  There was a great balance of msytery and romance in this one.  I just loved Dex and Brae together.  Dex is a great balance of computer nerd, protective male and friend.  He is exactly what Brae needed.  You really have to admire Brae's drive to find out what happened to her friend when most people would have given up.   I also loved the relationship Dex formed with her son.  The rest of the characters added a lot of life to the book.  I can't wait to read about the other brothers and see them get their HEAs.  I highly recommend this one.

2 in1: Break My Fall and Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: March 2025

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she's back home, she's made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But when Meredith enters his life, his walls crumble, and he's left exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild. Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

Break My Fall is the second book in the Gossamer Falls series.  This one is Meredith and Gray's story.  Thought this one was really sweet and I really enjoyed watching them finally give into their feelings.  I loved Meredith in the first book, so it was nice to see her get her HEA.  As with the first one, the mystery was enjoyable as well.  Definitely recommend this one.

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: April 2025

All Cassie Quinn has ever wanted is to run her own restaurant. She left home to pursue her dream, but circumstances beyond her control destroyed it, and she returned to Gossamer Falls to regroup. When she's given an offer she can't refuse--to fill in as chef at a fine dining restaurant for the social elite--she jumps at the chance to restore her reputation.

But when the kitchen is destroyed, it becomes clear that Cassie is in danger. She's forced to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend, Officer Donovan Bledsoe, to find the culprit and secure her safety. Donovan's primary mission is to keep her safe. His secondary mission is to win her back.

Downfall is a novella that comes between the second and third books in the Gossamer Falls series.  This one is Cassie and Donovan's story.  They had been dating in the first book, but suddenly broke up.  We finally get to see why in this novella. Their romance was really sweet. As with the other books in the series, there is a pretty good mystery here.  I really do recommend this series as a whole.

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt from Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

LAST TO FALL

by Lynn H. Blackburn

March 2 - 13, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

GOSSAMER FALLS

 

She's caught in a deadly game. He's the only one who can help her win.

Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family's exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she's forced to call on the one person with the skills to help her: Mo Quinn, a former Army intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can't walk away--especially when it's clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them are ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible choice: trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

With danger closing in and no one else to turn to, Bronwyn must break years of silence with Mo to uncover who's trying to destroy The Haven. They'll have to risk everything--including their hearts--to expose the truth before it's too late.

The finale to Blackburn's Gossamer Falls series is an exhilarating romantic suspense novel packed with tension. This gripping read will hook fans of the family rivalry, bodyguard, small town, second chance romance, and forced proximity tropes.

Book Details:

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Romance
Published by: Revell
Publication Date: March 3, 2026
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780800745387 (ISBN10: 0800745388)
Series: Gossamer Falls, Book #3 | Learn more on Amazon, Goodreads, & Baker Book House
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Christianbook | Goodreads | BookBub | Baker Book House

My Thoughts:

     Last to Fall is the third and final book in the Gossamer Falls series.  This one is Bronwyn and Mo's story.  I have really enjoyed this series as a whole.  This one is probably my favotire out of the three.  It does work well as a stand alone book, but I do recommend the first two books as you really get to know all of the characters by starting at the beginning.   In this one we finally get to see why Bronwyn and Mo don't speak directly to each other.  Their story is so satisfying given their long history of friendship and young love.  I loved them together.   The mystery was really good too and the solution also kind of wrapped up the entire series.  I highly recommend this one.

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Never Fall Again, as well as the Dive Team Investigations and Defend and Protect series. She loves writing swoon-worthy Southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she sits at home in her pajamas. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

Catch Up With Lynn Blackburn:

LynnHBlackburn.com
Subscribe to Lynn's Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @lynnhugginsblackburn
BookBub - @LynnHBlackburn
Instagram - @LynnHBlackburn
X - @LynnHBlackburn
Facebook - @LynnHBlackburn
Pinterest - @LynnHBlackburn

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Don't Be the Last to Fall for This Giveaway!

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Lynn H. Blackburn and Revell. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

LAST TO FALL by Lynn H. Blackburn

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

Review: Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan

Author: Allison Brennan
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Publication Date: January 2026

 Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida, only to turn up dead soon after. With the location and the similarities between the female victims as their only leads, it’s up to the FBI Mobile Response Team to catch a serial killer before anyone else ends up dead. And they have the perfect bait—Detective Kara Quinn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the targeted women.

Undercover as newlyweds pretending to enjoy their honeymoon, Kara and FBI Agent Matt Costa set a flawless trap. When their plan works and they arrest the predator, Matt sends the rest of the team home so he and Kara can have the weekend for some much-needed R&R. But on Monday morning, the couple doesn’t show up to work, and the MRT learns they never checked out of their hotel.

As their team tries to find them, Matt and Kara learn the truth—the killer wasn’t acting alone. He had a partner who succeeded where he failed. Kidnapped and forced into a twisted escape room, they need to find a way out, because if they don’t escape, they’ll die.

Make it Out Alive is the seventh book in the Quinn & Acosta series.  Matt and Kara are at the end of a much needed vacation when they are abducted and wake up in a deadly escape house scenario.  Their team must race against time to find out happened to them.  I have to say that I really enjoyed this one much better than the previous book.  We get much more of Matt and Kara together. And honestly, they are why I keep reading this series.  I loved their interactions and how they worked together to get out of their situation.  I also really loved how the team has really become a cohesive unit by this book.  The overall msytery was good.  There were a lot of hold your breath moments.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt from The Arrangement by S.D. Lettie

 

Title: The Arrangement (Bancroft University Chronicles Book 1)
Author: S.D. Lettie
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: November 7, 2025
Pages: 298
Genre: New Adult / Romantic Suspense 
Formats: Paperback, Kindle, FREE w/ Kindle Unlimited

You know that guy you fell for at sixteen—the one who vanished without explanation, leaving behind enough damage to last years? Now imagine being forced into an engagement with him because your parents decided you’re more useful as leverage than as a daughter. 
And the part he forgot to mention? He’s heir to a Bratva empire with blood on its hands. 
That’s Emilia’s life. Her future is not her own, and her fiancé, Nikolai Volkov, is a man whose silence is more dangerous than his words. Their past is a wound. Their engagement is a threat. And what grows between them is something neither of them should let happen. 

The Arrangement is a dark, slow-burn story of buried truths, political corruption, and a connection that pulls two damaged people toward a collision neither may survive unscathed.
Read sample.

The Arrangement is available at Amazon.
 

My thoughts:

The Arrangement is the first half of the Bancroft University Chronicles duet.  It's definitely a slow burn story involving college senior Emilia.  She is the daughter of the VP of the United States.  She has been raised her whole life to be perfection.  Now she has found out that she has been set up to marry the heir to a powerful Russian mafia family.  She is also about to find out some deep secrets her family has been keeping.  

For the most part, I did like this book.  I found it a bit slow in the beginning.  But by the halfway mark I found miser invested Emilia's story.  I was sad that it left off on a cliffhanger.   I was  left with a lot of questions that I hope will be answered in the next installment.  The characters were interesting.  I really liked Emilia's friendship with Thalia.  Everyone needs a ride or die friend like her.  I do recommend giving this one a shot.

BOOK EXCERPT

My phone buzzes in my shorts pocket. I ignore it, thinking it’s a text, but then it buzzes again. I look down and see my father’s name lighting up the screen. Groaning, I answer. 
“Emilia.” His voice is calm, clipped. Not cold, just clean, like everything else he controls. He says my name like punctuation. 
“Yes, sir.” 
“Your mother asked me to check on the brunch.” 
She didn’t want to ask herself. She never does. She strategically delegates through him, like always. “It’s done,” I say. “Final headcount is confirmed. Catering’s squared. My remarks are short and already vetted.” There’s a pause, the sound of him moving paper in the background, or maybe pouring a drink. I can’t tell. He’s always multitasking, even when he speaks like everything is a priority. 
“She wants it to go smoothly.” 
It will. He knows that. He wouldn’t have called if he didn’t already trust it was handled. 
“There’s something else,” my father says right as I think we’re done, his voice flat and clipped in the way he reserves for things that aren’t up for discussion. “I’ve arranged a meeting with Nikolai and his father next week at the Four Seasons. I’d like you to be there. We have some important things to discuss.” 
– Excerpted from The Arrangement by S.D. Lettie, Independent, 2025. Reprinted with permission.
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Before she ever had “author” next to her name, S.D. Lettie was—and still is—an avid reader first; the kind who would finish a book in a day and beg her parents to take her back to the bookstore. Reading started as a hobby and, as she got older, became her source of entertainment, escape, and comfort. Over the years, she found herself wanting to write the kind of worlds readers could get excited about—a world that could grow into a fandom of its own. 

Today, Lettie writes slow-burn romances—stories about characters who are imperfectly perfect, the hard moments that shape them, and the plot twists that leave readers reeling. Outside her writing life, she’s a wife and mom of two, roles that influence both her time and perspective. She’s also a dedicated soccer fan, the kind who will plan her day around a match and openly admit she’ll yell at the TV when things get heated.

Through all of it, her goal as an author is simple: she wants her characters to stay with readers long after the book ends. 
 
Her latest book is the new adult romantic suspense, The Arrangement (Bancroft University Chronicles Book 1).
 
Visit her website at www.sdlettieauthor.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, BookBub and Goodreads.
 

Review: Cold Heat by Toni Anderson

Author: Toni Anderson
Publisher: Toni Anderson Inc.
Publication date: January 2026

 FBI HRT operator Jordan Krychek has built his life around discipline and duty, hiding scars that run bone-deep. The night his family was murdered, the man responsible vanished into the wind. Now that ghost has reappeared—and a woman Jordan has sworn to protect is caught in the crossfire.

Daisy Montana doesn’t need a bodyguard, least of all her father’s dangerously intense teammate. But when a terrorist targets her area of research, and a killer from Jordan’s past resurfaces, she becomes a pawn in a deadly game of vengeance.

Forced into hiding—and into each other’s arms—the line between duty and desire combusts. From Mexico to Virginia, a relentless enemy draws them into a web of deception and betrayal. As the stakes rise and the body count climbs, Jordan and Daisy must untangle the mystery of what the next target might be, before it's too late.

This time, Jordan’s mission is personal. And protecting Daisy might cost him everything—including his heart.

COLD HEAT delivers explosive action, heart-stopping suspense, and the kind of forbidden love that will bring even the most hardened operator to his knees.

Cold Heat is the 7th installment in the Cold Justice: Most Wanted series.  This one is Jordan and Daisy's story.  It's one of my favorite tropes, fake romance mixed with high stakes suspense.  As with all of the books in this series, the action is fast paced and intense.  There were a lot of "edge of your seat" moments that kept the book moving. Because of that, I didn't mind the amount of technical information about nuclear energy and reactors. 

I also really loved Jordan and Daisy together.  I loved that it wasn't insta-love and they had a little bit of a history.  Jordan's past and his loss was so heartbreaking.  I was rooting for him to realize he did deserve a future with Daisy.   I also loved that Daisy was intelligent and driven.  They were a great match.  I definitely recommend this one.  I can't wait to see whose story is next.

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt from Track of Courage by Susan May Warren

TRACK OF COURAGE

by Susan May Warren

January 5 - 16, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

CALL OF THE WILD

 

A hijacked plane. A pursuing killer. And a K9's instinct to help them make it out alive.

Pop singer Keely Williams's search for her biological mother in Alaska has been painfully unsuccessful. Now she just wants to escape this wild frontier and never look back. But when her plane is hijacked, she's suddenly plunged into a race against not only an Alaskan blizzard but also a killer who's on her tail.

After a career-ending injury, ex-cop Dawson Mulligan has only one friend--Caspian, the stray dog he adopted. Dawson just wants to figure out how to get his life on track, but during a flight home to Copper Mountain, he spots a downed plane and stops to help. Except, when his not-a-rescue dog runs off into the woods and discovers the trail of a missing survivor, it's up to the former cop to stage a rescue.

But Dawson has no idea he's being pulled into a deadly pursuit, or that Caspian is more than he seems. There might be redemption and second chances waiting for both Dawson and Keely if they have the courage to face their wounded pasts and fight for their future.

Join master storyteller Susan May Warren for a propulsive ride through the Alaskan wilderness, where love might be the riskiest--and most rewarding--adventure of all.

Prepare to experience edge-of-your-seat action combined with heart-stirring romance and heroic K9 companions in this exhilarating romantic suspense that will thrill fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard.

Book Details:

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense Thriller
Published by: Revell
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Number of Pages: 320 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780800746056 (ISBN10: 0800746058) Pbk
Series: Call of the Wild, #1
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | ChristianBook | Baker Book House

My thoughts:

    Track of Courage is a Christian romantic suspense that takes place in Alaska. It's the first in the Call of the Wild series.   This one involves ex-cop Dawson, who is just trying to get his life on track after being injured on the job.  And Keely, also known as pop singer Bliss, who is looking for her birth mother.  Throw in a plane crash and a deadly pursuit and you have non-stop suspense and romance.

I did enjoy this one.  It was a little slow to start, but the descriptions of Alaskan scenery more than made up for that.  I enjoyed the suspense part of the book.  It made for some edge of the seat moments.  More than that, I really enjoyed the romance between Dawson and Keely.  Both of them have some major baggage, but their time in the blizzard and close proximity allowed them to work through it together.  I loved how Dawson kept denying the fact the Caspian was more than "just a dog" he adopted.  It was amusing.  I do recommend this one.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

Read an excerpt from TRACK OF COURAGE:

 

 

Author Bio:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly 100 novels with more than 1.5 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and Montana Rescue series. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers' Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota.

Catch Up With Susan May Warren:

SusanMayWarren.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @SusanMayWarren
BookBub - @SusanMayWarren
Instagram - @SusanMayWarren
X - @SusanMayWarren
Facebook - @SusanMayWarrenFiction
YouTube - @SusanMayWarrenFiction

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the TRACK OF COURAGE Tour Schedule

 

 

 

Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Revell & Susan May Warren. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

TRACK OF COURAGE by Susan May Warren | Print Book & Gift Card

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

Throwback Thrusday: Killing Time by Cindy Gerard

Author: Cindy Gerard

Publisher: 

Publication Date: January 2013

For the seven years after Operation Slam Dunk went south, Mike Brown got drunk on each anniversary. The eighth year was no different--until he was drugged by a woman and woke up to her questions about what had happened eight years ago in Afghanistan. CIA attorney Eva Salinas has her own theory behind what happened to Mike's team--which included her husband--in Afghanistan eight years ago, and she's determined to prove foul play. Though she doesn't trust him, Mike is the only person she can turn to for help. Under an assumed name, Eva convinces Mike to assemble a new team and go after the traitor who screwed up both their lives. As they track down the rogue who started it all, Eva and Mike discover they can't live without each other. But can they stay alive while an enemy is still on the loose? 

It's been a while since I have done a Throwback Thursday post.  In 2026, I am going to try to bring it back more.  I am attempting to read a lot of my back log of books that  have been sitting on my TBR pile for a long time.  Killing Time came out almost 13 years ago, and the big bad that the country is fighting has definitely changed.  However, I forgot how much I enjoy reading a book about an broken ex-military ho has been betrayed by his country swoops in to save the damsel in distress. 

This was a good solid romantic suspense.   The attraction between Mike and Eva was intense and I was rooting for them.  I also enjoyed the mystery.  There was a lot of action and danger.  The twists were a surprise as well.  The friendship between Mike and the others from his team was a lot of fun.  It definitely make me want to seek out the other books in this series.  It is an off-shoot of an earlier series by this author, but I didn't find I needed to have read that one before starting here.  If you are in the mood for a good romantic suspense, I do recommend this one.

Review: Into the Storm by Christina Sol

Author: Christina Sol
Publication Date: December 2025 

She's looking to start fresh, free from any entanglements. He's not relationship material and is content living a quiet life. When their paths collide, the chemistry between them can't be denied. But danger swirls around them...
 
For hairstylist Freya Hansen, relocating to Hudson Island gives her the chance to shed her old life and start over. When her newfound peace is shattered, she struggles to pick up the pieces, until a mysterious stranger steps in. A history of failed relationships has left her questioning her own judgement, no matter how intriguing she finds him. 
 
Xander Bonetti has left his wild ways behind him and is more than happy to focus on his work--leading Hudson Security's personal security division. But when he spies the petite hairdresser after an incident at the Pacific View Resort, his protective instincts kick into high gear. And when a threat from her past brings trouble to her doorstep, even while knowing his heart could be on the line, he'll do anything to protect her.
 
As the heat between Xander and Freya grows, so does the danger that looms around them. Not only must they unravel decades-old clues to end the unseen threat targeting Freya, but they must also let go of their fears and secrets or they'll lose their chance at a once in a lifetime love.


Amazon Worldwide: http://bit.ly/4ql5UMy     
 Goodreads: http://bit.ly/4ojp2t7  

My thoughts:

   

Into the Storm is the second book in the Hudson security Series.  This one is Xander and Freya's story.  I swear, this series gets better and better.  I know it's only the second book, but I love these characters and this series.  I loved this one.  Xander and Freya have the sweetest chemistry.  I loved watching them fall for each other.  It was adorable how they both had insecurities and how that played into their courtship.  It wasn't annoying, it was actually endearing.  I also loved how Xander's friends and colleagues had his back and encouraged him.  The mystery definitely came out of nowhere.  I was completely wrong as to what who was threatening Freya.  I won't spoil any more.  I just highly recommend you pick this up.

About the author:

Award-winning author Christina Sol writes what she loves to read - romance filled with heart, heat, and suspense.
When Christina's not writing, reading, or knitting, she's watching football or fueling her washi, sticker & planner obsession.
Christina lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.
 
Connect with Christina
Website | www.christinasol.com   
Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8192185.Christina_Sol    
Amazon | https://bit.ly/3E5M2cw    
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/christinasol.author      
Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/christinasol.author/    
Bookbub |  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christina-sol       

Review: All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date:  January 2025

Ridley Sawyer knows what it’s like to miss someone, to feel like a piece of her vanished—because it happened to her the night her twin sister disappeared.

Now, Ridley channels that loss into hope, traveling the country covering cold cases for her true crime podcast. She might not have found justice for her sister but that doesn’t stop her from finding it for others.

Until Sheriff Colter Brooks gets in her way.

Colt knows what it’s like to have reporters descend on his town in the wake of a tragedy, and he’s not about to let a fiery podcaster stir up trouble. It doesn’t matter that her haunting blue eyes tell him there’s more to Ridley’s story or that he can’t stop imagining what it would be like to touch her.

But when Ridley’s cold case turns hot and she’s thrust into the crosshairs, Colt has no choice but to step in. Suddenly, Ridley’s living at his house, drinking his whiskey, and stealing his dog’s affections. But she’s also proving that she’s so much more than his first impression.

All the Missing Pieces is a stand alone romantic suspense involving Ridley, a podcaster who travels around in her van trying to solve cold cases for her podcast.  Years earlier, her twin sister was abducted and never seen again.  Now she is in Colt's town looking for a connection.  She is convinced his siter's attempted kidnapping, is connected to her sister's disappearance..

I really enjoyed this book.  I loved that I was surprised at the solution and resolution to the mystery.  This author definitely has a way of giving out just enough information to keep you guessing. I seem to get surprised every time I read one of her books.  I liked the chemistry between Colt and Ridley.  I loved how he became home and safety for her.  I also really enjoyed the relationship he had with his best friend and his sister.  Speaking of his sister and best friend, I hope there is another book.  I want to see what happens with that teased relationship.  I highly recommend this one.

Review: Cold Truth by Toni Anderson

Author: Toni Anderson
Publisher: Toni Anderson Inc
Publication Date: May 2025

 Rowena Smith may be a top-shelf librarian, but solid investigative skills won’t keep her safe after her newest research project—tracking down her biological father—leads her to a brutally murdered body. The scene offers up one hope for assistance: the card of FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kurt Montana. Alone and terrified in a foreign country, Rowena places the call.

About to board a flight home after a failed mission, Kurt can’t ignore the plea in Rowena’s voice. She could be the killer or she could be an innocent bystander—either way, he senses she holds information vital to his case. When Kurt’s flight takes off without him—only to crash into the African savanna killing everyone onboard—he knows it’s no coincidence. Rowena saved his life.

On the run from powerful enemies, he and Rowena pose as a couple—never mind that she’s much too young for him. As danger escalates and they inch closer to the secret someone is trying desperately to prevent them from revealing, their fake relationship spirals into something far more perilous. And deeply personal.

The game gets deadlier with each and every step toward the truth. But there’s no turning back and they’ll need to rely on their skills and their wits—and each other—if they hope to survive.

Cold Truth is the sixth book in the Cold Justice: Most Wanted Series.  The events of this book take place during the events of a couple of the previous books in this series.  It also ties up some loose ends from the Cold Justice: The Negotiators series.   This one is Kurt and Rowena's story.   When I saw the length of the book, I was a little taken aback.  It's definitely the longest  book in the series.  However, after reading it, I understand why the author took her time to tell this story.  There was a lot packed into this one.  

There were a few scenes where I felt like I was holding my breath because they were so tense.  I also loved the relationship that developed between Kurt and Rowena.  They are definitely one of my favorite couples from this series.   We get to see some characters from previous series and boy do they get justice finally.  I don't want to spoil too much.  I will highly recommend this one.  I can't wait to see what might develop between Jordan and Daisy!

Review: Cold Spite by Toni Anderson

Author: Toni Anderson
Publisher: Toni Anderson
Publication Date: October 2024

 When FBI Agent Delilah Quinn survives an attempt on her life, she pretends to be dead in order to outwit her attacker. There is only one person she can turn to for help—a man she never wanted to see again…a man who abandoned her five years ago and left her heartbroken. A man definitely on the killer’s hit list.

FBI Hostage Rescue Operator Cas Demarco lives with the burning regret of choosing to join HRT and leaving Delilah behind. News of her death devastates him. Then she calls him out of the blue and he can’t help but seize this one last chance to make things right.

With both Delilah and Cas targeted for death, a task force is set up to catch their would-be killer, who they believe is a disgraced former Navy SEAL they helped convict of drug trafficking. Out of prison and on a ruthless quest for retribution, the former SEAL is eliminating everyone who wronged him—without leaving a shred of evidence behind.

Can Delilah and Cas prove who’s responsible for the attempts on their lives and have a second chance at a future together? Or will the rogue ex-SEAL double-down on his promise to destroy them both?

Cold Spite is the fifth book in the Cold Justice: Most Wanted series.  It can definitely be read as a stand alone book.  Even though characters from other books show up in this one, you won't be lost. This one is Cas and Delilah's story.    Cas and Delilah had a secret relationship while undercover.  Once the op was over, Cas walked away because he thought it would be best for both of them.  Now they find themselves thrown together because someone is trying to kill them.

This is a great addition to the series. It is an action packed second chance romance. While you kind of know who is after the couple, there are a few surprises as well.  Along with the mystery and the action, there is a sweet second chance at love.  I loved following along as Delilah slowly came to forgive Cas and to understand what motivated him.  She also had a heartbreaking secret.  The ending was really cute.  I definitely recommend this one.

Blog Tour: Review of Murder in the Appalachians by Susan Furlong

MURDER IN THE APPALACHIANS

by Susan Furlong

March 17 - April 25, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

On the run in the mountains…
with a killer on their trail.

After unearthing secrets from her late brother’s police notebook, journalist Emma Hayes discovers his death was no accident—he was murdered. Only someone doesn’t want Emma to find out the connection to the cold case her brother was investigating…and they’ll kill to keep it that way. Now Emma must rely on local ER doctor Logan Greer to help her stay alive and follow a trail of elusive evidence. But as they unravel a conspiracy, they realize that the killer could be anyone hiding in the mountains…

Book Details:

Genre: Love Inspired Suspense - Romantic Suspense
Published by: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Publication Date: April 1, 2025
Number of Pages: 206
ISBN: 9781335980533 (ISBN10: 1335980539)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Harlequin

 My thoughts:

Murder in the Appalachians is an action packed mystery with a sweet romance in it as well.  Emma is convinced that her brother's death had more behind it than the police were letting on. Logan, the doctor who literally saved her, knew he had to help her find the truth. There were so much action in this that it was hard to put the book down.  I wanted to know what happened next.  The mystery was hard to figure out and I loved that.  Emma and Logan were perfect for each other.  They both were able to both get closure in multiple ways.  I also loved Logan's relationship with his sister Rachel.  I highly recommend this one.

Author Bio:

Susan Furlong grew up in North Dakota where she spent long winters at her local library scouring the shelves for mysteries to read. Now, she lives in Illinois with her husband and children and writes mysteries of all types. She has over a dozen published novels and her work has earned a spot in the New York Times list of top crime fiction books of the year. When not writing, she volunteers at her church and spends time hiking and fishing.

Catch Up With Susan Furlong:

www.SusanFurlong.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @SusanFurlongAuthor
Instagram - @susanfurlong
Threads - @susanfurlong
X - @Furlong_Sue
Facebook - @SusanFurlongAuthor
Pinterest - @S_FurlongAuthor

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Don't Miss Out! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Susan Furlong. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

Review: Out of the Shadows by Christina Sol

Author: Christina Sol

Publication Date: March 2025

He's the founder of Hudson Security.
Intense, smoking hot, and former special forces.
He's also her boss and long-time friend, but when danger explodes around them, they're drawn together by a passion neither can deny.
 
Sabrina "Bean" Ventura is one of the most skilled hackers in the world. She's the unseen force behind Hudson Security, unraveling secrets from the safety of the shadows. With a lifetime of solitude and a hardened heart, she's learned to keep her distance--no relationships, no attachments. She has one job and one job only: find the intel and take down the bad guys. However, when one of their own is threatened, everything changes.
 
Gavin Frazier is a man with one primary focus: protecting those under his care. As the head of Hudson Security, he's ruthless in his pursuit of safety for his clients and employees. There's no time for distractions. But when Bean is injured, his protective instincts flame to life in ways he never expected. She's more than his employee and trusted friend, she's everything he can't seem to resist.
 
As the danger around them escalates, Gavin's desire to protect Bean grows--as does the undeniable chemistry between them. While they race against time to stop an unknown enemy, they must trust each other like never before or risk losing everything--including their chance at love.

 Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon  
Amazon Worldwide

Goodreads

My thoughts:

Out of the Shadows is a new series surrounding Hudson Security.  It's an off-shoot of the Hudson Island series.  We are introduced to more members of the company and get to know ones that showed up in the previous series a bit better.  This one focuses on Gavin and Sabrina or "Bean" as she is known to everyone.  

I really enjoyed this one.  It felt like visiting old friends. I am a huge fan of the Hudson Island series.  I know this new series will be just as good.  The mystery was really good with a lot of action.  But more than that, I loved how the relationship between Gavin and Bean developed.  I loved how unsure and awkward they both were.  It was adorable.  Having been friends and colleagues for years, it just made  their love story that much better.  I don't want to give anything away, so I will highly recommend you read it.

About the author:

Award-winning author Christina Sol writes what she loves to read - romance filled with heart, heat, and suspense.
When Christina's not writing, reading, or knitting, she's watching football or fueling her washi, sticker & planner obsession.
Christina lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.
 
Connect with Christina
Website | www.christinasol.com   
Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8192185.Christina_Sol   
Amazon | https://bit.ly/3E5M2cw   
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/christinasol.author      
Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/christinasol.author/    
Bookbub |  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christina-sol  
 
 

Review: Alone in the Wild by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: February 2020

 Every season in Rockton seems to bring a new challenge. At least that's what Detective Casey Duncan has felt since she decided to call this place home. Between all the secretive residents, the sometimes-hostile settlers outside, and the surrounding wilderness, there's always something to worry about.
While on a much needed camping vacation with her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, Casey hears a baby crying in the woods. The sound leads them to a tragic scene: a woman buried under the snow, murdered, a baby still alive in her arms.

A town that doesn’t let anyone in under the age of eighteen, Rockton must take care of its youngest resident yet while solving another murder and finding out where the baby came from - and whether she's better off where she is.

Alone in the Wild is the fifth book in the Casey Duncan/Rockland series.  It's been a while since I visited this series  I'm really behind.  In this one, Casey and Eric are camping when they come across a murdered woman and a very alive newborn baby.  They make it their mission to find out who killed the woman and who the baby belongs to.

I forget how much I love this series.  While reading this book, I felt like I was visiting old friends.  The characters of this town are so interesting and always keep me invested in the story.  I enjoyed the msytery.  I also loved the growing relationship between Eric and Casey and where they stand at the end of the book. Somethings I also enjoyed about the book were the glimpses into the other colonies and how they operate.  I look forward to catching up more with the series.