Fraser (Minnesota Marshalls #1) by Susan May Warren

 

Fraser Marshall is pretty sure his career as a Spec Ops fighter is over. Yes, he’s gone into private security, working for Jones, Inc, but his last gig ended with him wounded and taken captive. And those wounds just won’t heal. The last thing he wants to do is stick around his family’s winery pressing grapes. But what choices does he have?

The answer comes via a panicked phone call from his kid brother, Creed.

Help, Fraser. I’m in over my head…

Yeah he is, because he’s run away with a princess, with her bodyguard hot on the trail. And said bodyguard, Pippa Butler is going to hunt them down, no matter the cost.

Even if she has to join forces with a bossy, arrogant former American SEAL. But Pippa has her own set of lethal skills, and if Fraser gets in the way, she’ll leave him on the side of the road. Still, maybe he’s not a terrible side-kick. He is handsome, and he makes her laugh…

No, no, bad Pippa! She has no room for a man—an American—in her life. And Fraser hasn’t ever considered slowing down. Even if Pippa has him wondering if there is a different future ahead.

But there’s more to the story than a Romeo-and-Juliet runaway romance. Princess Imani has seen a murder, and the perpetrator isn’t going to let her get away. Will Fraser and Pippa find the couple first?

And if they do, can they work together to keep them safe?

It’ll be tough if their hearts get in the way…

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

In true Susan May Warren fashion, this story is full on, fast paced, heart pounding, edge of you seat excitement.  It really had me invested and anxious all the way through.

The first meet between Fraser and Pippa is literally shocking.  Haha.  It's definitely one to remember.  Forever.  Poor, poor Fraser.

Fraser and Pippa are both strong, smart and capable people.  I love how they learned that working together made them stronger.  They both have baggage and hard things to deal with but that never stops them from doing the next right thing.  They learned to trust each other and that was so satisfying.  I also loved the mending relationship between Fraser and Creed and the more trusting one that was formed between Pippa and Imani.  This author really does family/romantic relationships well.

This story has a halfway ending, with some resolution for Pippa and Fraser, but there is an overarching story that is continuing in the next book.  I can't wait!

Content:  violence, peril.  Moderate Christian Fiction elements.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Shifting Sands by Kathi Oram Peterson

 

All Gloryanna Griffin needs is a full-ride scholarship to finish her master’s degree in marine biology in order to pursue her dream of saving the ocean. However, to be a serious contender for the money, she needs to publish in a prestigious magazine. A research dive off the Olympic Peninsula is a dangerous proposition but one that just might give her article the impact it needs. But when she’s swept into an underwater vortex, she realizes her life may be the price she pays instead.

When she awakens on the rocky beach—miraculously alive—the first person she sees is the handsome stranger who saved her. Over the years, Jonathan Dawson has saved countless lives from the perils of the ocean. But until now, no one has ever seen him. Nearly eighty years ago, he died on this same beach, and his spirit has been tied to the spot ever since. Now Gloryanna and Jonathan are irrevocably linked as they are plunged into a decades’ old mystery that promises answers to the past and keys to the future. But they soon discover that some secrets may be better left undisturbed.

 * Goodreads * Amazon * Deseret Book *

I have read so many books by this author (maybe all of them!) and this is the first one that features a ghost as a main character!  Yup, you heard that right.  This author is known for her mystery/suspense novels but this time she has thrown in a bit of the paranormal and I really liked it!  That sure changed things up!

Jonathan is a ghost.  A steady, unwavering, dependable ghost.  Still protecting the stretch of beach he did in life.  His dog is there too and good thing he was because he literally saved Gloryanna a handful of times all by himself.  

Gloryanna is a ocean loving student diver.  Resilient and smart.  She slowly but surely came to love her ghost, Jonathan.  It was a lovely process.  A ghost, a dog and a diver.  

I loved the whole mystery and how everything started connecting together with the characters and the plot.  The ending was great!  The last bit of the book really turns up a notch so I was reading really quickly!  So fun.

Content:  peril, violence, death.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Miss Newbury's List Megan Walker

 

Before Rosalind weds, she wants to experience ten things. Meeting Charlie wasn’t on her list. 

England, 1820 

Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her time. As a child, Ros created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, she has done none of them. She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. 

She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir. 

Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart. 

With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

What a sweet story!  It was so gentle in nature, so endearing.  Rosalind is a character that grows on you with every turn of the page.  She is determined but in a quiet way.  I loved her desire for adventure, the bucket list and the journey it took her on.  The personal growth that led her to knowing herself better was a satisfying one with a lovely ending.

This is a super slow burn romance- actually more like a friendship for most of the book.  In fact, Charlie isn't even a friend at first but obviously that changes.  Once Charlie decides to help Rosalind with her list, he's all in.  I loved how he encouraged, supported and provided opportunities for Rosalind to accomplish her goals.  It was just all so very sweet.  If you love regency novels, don't miss this one!

Content:  mild peril, sweet ending kiss

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author: MEGAN WALKER was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn’t leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children. 

Love Rescheduled by Jennifer Peel

My name is Natalie Archer, and I confess to loving nothing more than scheduling my life. And by scheduling, I mean every aspect. So why not schedule my wedding? Do I have a groom? No. Am I dating anyone? Also no. But I have a plan. A good plan, even, to find a Mr. Right who fits all my criteria. The biggest one being he MUST not be famous. Been there, and never doing that again.

I’m just about ready to put my plan into action when my famous ex reenters the picture. Josh Keller, the hottest stand-up comedian around, otherwise known as the thorn in my side and the love of my life. With him comes a major embarrassing moment, caught on video no less. It only proves exactly how incompatible we truly are and that I made the right choice leaving him three years ago. Unfortunately, Josh doesn’t think so, and he’s doing everything in his power to prove that you can’t schedule love. Well, I’ll show him. Maybe. Possibly. Why does the dang man have to be so annoyingly charming? And how can we make it work when his famous life is way out of my comfort zone? Is there any way for us to save the date?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Wa-hoo!  Author Jennifer Peel has a new release!  Surprise!

Confession.  I've read it twice.  The first time I blew through it so fast because I was immersed in the story and the emotion of it, desperate for happily ever after ending I was looking for.  The second time I was determined to go slower and savor everything.  Easy enough because I already knew what would happen, right?  Nope.  I still read it like it was the first time, all aboard and full steam ahead.  It was just that good.

Emotions and feelings are something I always want to be caught up in.  I want to feel those characters and have a good sense of who they are and why.  Introvert Natalie takes quite a journey of self discovery and self love.  It felt so, so satisfying as a reader.  I felt like her cheerleader.  Extrovert Josh turns up after a few years, determined and present.  Like, literally.  He wouldn't leave Natalie's house.  Haha.  I love a determined guy.

Full of fantastic characters, amusing situations, emotionally charged moments and some fire kissing, this story is true blue Jennifer Peel.  If you've read her books before, you will know what I mean. If you haven't ever read one of her books, this would be a great place to start.

Content:  some abuse mentioned.  Kissing. 

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Meet Me In Talkeetna by Kari Monet

 

Athletic, vivacious, and enormously gifted, Sammy Bluefield has just graduated college and is ready for her next adventure: teaching elementary school in Talkeetna, Alaska. She’s immediately embraced by the village’s weird and wonderful: Lacey, her best friend and roommate; Walter, the octogenarian dumpster diver and self-proclaimed millionaire; and Blake, the quiet but competent hottie who lives on the mountain with his Gramps.  But when Sammy injures her knee at the same time the sun disappears for the winter, she finds herself in a perfect storm of mental illness. Her depression threatens her work at the school, her growing attachment to Blake, and even her life. In order to heal, Sammy must face her condition and ultimately, must face herself.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I've got a book for you today from debut author, Kari Monet!  It can be a little scary as a reader/reviewer agreeing to read a brand new author because, well, it's brand new!  None of my reader friends have read it so I don't know how it's going to be.  But guess what, sometimes you just have to take a chance and see where it takes you.  I had a good feeling about this book after reading the blurb so I decided to jump in.  I'm so glad I did.

Sammy has a big personality.  Impulsive, fun, shiny and engaging.  Until she isn't.  Depression is a beast and it sure sucks the life out of Sammy.  I thought the author did a great job of showing the light and then the darkness.  The struggle looked and felt real.  

We get multiple first person viewpoints in this book as it alternates between Sammy, Blake and Lacey (best friend).  I liked that as it helped me connect with them and their own battles as Sammy struggled.  Blake is a gem and he really shows up for Sammy in a big way- physically, mentally and emotionally.  Lacey is also a true best friend.

I wouldn't say this is a romantic comedy.  It was a bit too heavy for that, in my opinion.  But it was sweet and it was romantic.  The Alaska setting was fun (and cold- haha).  That's somewhere I have no desire to live.  Ever.  But it might be fun to visit on the very warmest day of the year.

I really enjoyed this book.  I hope to see another book from this author in the near future!  Cheers to taking a chance on a new book by a new author!  <clink>

This book is on KU if you have that.

Content:  mild peril.  Kissing. Depression in depth, suicide mentioned (in case those are triggers for you).  The characters go to church and God is mentioned but there isn't anything more than that.

Jack and Frost Bake-Off (Christmas in Connecticut #2) by Amanda P. Jones

Jack

I’m living my worst nightmare. Competing on a baking show surrounded by loud people all day. But it’s fine. I’m fine. Our family bakery is in trouble and I’d do anything to keep the memory of Mom alive since Love Bakes is the only place where I still feel her presence. Which is why I’m so determined to win the prize money. No distractions, no friendships, no having fun. It’s all about business. Until I meet bubbly Meg—someone whom I’d normally be annoyed by. Maybe life is about more than work? Meg certainly has me thinking that way. But what about Mom's bakery?

Megan

Paying Mom back to avoid law school is the main reason I signed up for Baking Spirits Bright. I also want to expand my bakery. But when all I can think about is my number one competitor, the gorgeously grumpy people-hater, Jack, my chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. He’s aloof and ridiculously handsome and pretends not to know who I am. The longer we compete, the more distracted I am by him. How can I win if I’m staring at him the entire time? Although, I’m not even sure I want the money anymore. I just want Jack.

* Amazon * Goodreads *

What a cute book!  Introvert Jack and extrovert Megan are on a baking show competition.  Ironically enough, they also live in the same area and are business competitors in their real life as well.  You can imagine just how well their initial meetings go.  It's a bumpy ride at first but they settle into a tentative truce, which leads to a kind of friendship (where they are both keeping an eye on each other) and eventually they end up kissing in the kitchen.  So appropriate given who they are, right?

I really had a lot of fun reading this book.  It was easy to settle in with and the characters were easy to like.  The desserts Jack and Meg made sounded amazing and I'm glad they weren't sitting in front of me or I would have eaten them all.  Yum!  Who wins this baking competition?  You have to read it to find out!  My lips are sealed. 

This book is on KU if you have that!  It's the second book of the series but can easily stand alone.  The first book is a novella.  Happy reading!

Content:  kissing

- I picked this book up on KU.

Critical Threat (Extreme Measures #3) by Lynette Eason

 

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I had to make a rule for myself with this book.  No reading it at night!  haha.  I'm such a lightweight when it comes suspense- especially serial killer suspense books.  This one really kept up with the creepy factor until the very end.  It was suspenseful and had great forward momentum.  The ending felt so satisfying.  So, so satisfying.

Grace and Sam have a growing friendship that turns into more throughout this book.  They have complicated, difficult pasts that they still deal with which actually made them even more suited for each other than they (or I) initially believed.  They worked together well.

I'm really enjoying this series!  It's exciting and gets my blood pumping without crossing my lines of becoming too gruesome or violent.  I can't wait for the next book.  Is there a next book?!  I really hope so!

Content:  peril, death.  Mild violence.  Kissing.  Some Christian elements.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.