Dead End (Kaely Quinn Profiler, #3) by Nancy Mehl

When a body is discovered in a field in Iowa, the police uncover fourteen additional corpses ranging from 20 years old to recent. The remains point to a serial killer with an MO the authorities have seen before--Ed Oliphant, a man who has been in prison for over 20 years . . . and is Special Agent Kaely Quinn's father. After several failed interview attempts to discover if Ed has been training someone to be a copycat killer, the police turn to Kaely in St. Louis.

Kaely promised herself she would never step foot in her hometown or set eyes on her father again. She's always refused to confront her past, but if she wants to prevent any more deaths, she must come face-to-face with the man she's hated for years.
As more bodies are discovered, Kaely races against time and her own personal turmoil to uncover the killer. Will this most personal case yet cost Kaely her identity and perhaps even her life?

Amazon


About The Author

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. First published in 2001, she has now authored nine books, including an omnibus mystery collection, Cozy in Kansas, which contains three of her previously published Ivy Towers mysteries. Book three in the series, For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls, won the American Christian Fiction Writers Mystery Book of the Year award. Nancys main writing interests lie in mystery although her new Harmony Series leans more toward the romantic suspense genre. Nancy runs a HUD program for the city of Wichita and is president of a volunteer organization, Wichita Homebound Outreach. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Kansas Authors Club.

Website


My Review

This is the third book in this series, and yes, I have read them all, not that I would want to, but, I do think you could read this one alone, the author does a wonderful job of bringing you up to date.
With this book, Kaely's father has now been in jail over 20 years, and now there are new murders with the same MO, how can that be?
There are so many twists and turns here, and no I did not see them coming, you will think you have your mind made up, when the rug is quickly pulled out from under you.
This is the end of the series, and yes, I would love to continue here, and the answers are forthcoming, will they be as you hope? There is a bit of sweet romance, and a lot of forgiveness, both to others and oneself, and throughout the book there is a love of God..
I will miss these characters, but am looking forward to the next read from this author, she never disappoints!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review. 

 

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris

When FBI agent Jack Shannon arrives in Corpus Christi, Texas, he is focused on one thing: find the man who has been selling encrypted government secrets to the Chinese through online birding chat rooms. But when a senator is shot during a hunting trip and the woman he was with is abducted, Jack agrees to join the search--especially when he discovers that the kidnapping victim is Aubrey Grayson, a woman he was once in love with.

As the search continues, it becomes clear the senator may not have been the intended victim--and Aubrey may be connected to the other case Jack is supposed to be working on. Can Jack untangle the knots before it's too late? And when he learns the truth, will it be too painful to get past?

Join the hunt for the truth--and a traitor--in this tension-laden story of secrets, betrayal, and second chances.

Amazon


About The Author

Award-winning author of nineteen novels and novellas, Lisa Harris lives with her husband and their three children in Mozambique, Africa, where they work as missionaries.

When she’s not busy writing or home schooling, she loves traveling, cooking different ethnic foods, and photographing animals and birds in the African bush. Visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com and her blog at www.myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot


My Review

f you enjoy a book with a lot of action, this is the one, in fact I had the feeling I was watching the evening news.
While a read of fiction, this one sure could be true, and that in its self is very scary, but the author quickly had me page turning, I needed answers, and my guesses to what was going on kept changing.
The book starts out with an innocent duck hunt, and ends with a bomb, literally, and much more in between. We are also given a bit of sweet romance, a longing to have what it not to be, or is it?
The dynamics of family relationships, and the heartache that it can bring, along with those who were there for those who were in need.
You don't want to miss this one, it will keep you on the edge of your seat, and page-turning for answers!

I received this book through the LibraryThing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Light Shines on Promise Lodge (Promise Lodge #5) by Charlotte Hubbard

With autumn in full brilliant color, the Amish of Promise Lodge celebrate a successful harvest—and a community rooted in deep friendship. But as cold winds of judgment cast doubt and fear, residents will need each other more than ever to weather the storm . . .

For abandoned wife Annabelle Beachey, Promise Lodge is a refuge where she's gained confidence and self-sufficiency. But she and others are dismayed when newly arrived Bishop Clayton King claims the  community is too progressive and sets out to change its ways. Worse, her husband, Phineas returns,  expecting her to give up her faith as he has. And he won't leave Promise Lodge without her . . .

But little by little, Annabelle's determination and new forthrightness make Phineas realize his  mistakes—and truly hear his wife for the first time. Meanwhile, Annabelle finds herself feeling  compassion—and even renewed love—for her newly humble, more caring husband. And as Bishop Clayton's attempt to control Promise Lodge threatens everything its residents have built, Phineas and Annabelle must work together with unshakeable courage to save their new home—and their opportunity for forever happiness.

Amazon


About The Author

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard (a.k.a. Naomi King) writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people—to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of her earlier Angels of Mercy series. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

Website


My Review

This book has been in my kindle for a week or so, and not that I didn't want to read it, I knew I would love it, and loved the anticipation.
This story did not disappoint, and loved being back at the Lodge, and reuniting with old friends, and there is a bonus of meeting some of the folks we haven't been with for quite awhile [previous books]!
Trouble is brewing here with the arrival of a mysterious Bishop, how will these people respond? Then there is a character that I previous did not like, that is now refreshing, and might just find a guy that is really interested in her.
The worse part of this book is having it end, I loved this peaceful community, and the author does a great job of bringing it alive, and I enjoy looking around and just being here!

I received this book through the Publisher Kengsington, and was not required to give a positive review. 

Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese

Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now--the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.

Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.

With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

Amazon


About The Author

Nicole Deese's eight humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled novels include the 2017 Carol Award-winning A Season to Love. Her 2018 release, A New Shade of Summer, was a finalist in the RITA Awards, Carol Awards, and INSPY Awards. Both of these books are from her bestselling Love in Lenox series. When she's not working on her next contemporary romance, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.
To learn more, visit www.nicoledeese.com.


My Review

nd then left me wanting more. The family dynamics, loving friendship, children, and throw in a bit of romance, and you are in for a great read.
The emotions I felt, well, you want to smile with tears in your eyes, and warmth in your heart. I felt the author gave us the right characters all the way through, wether we are in the home of the mom who has adopted several children, or with the sister who is struggling with step children and her own daughter. Then the friend who stops her life to journey with her friend on a life changing trip to China.
How would you handle giving up on love for the dream of your life, what you feel God has placed on your heart, wow, this book is a roller coaster of love and friendship!

I received this book through the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review. 

Thursday's Bride by Patricia Johns

For a proper young Amish widow struggling to begin again, encountering her reckless first love will test her forgiveness, resolve--and heart . . .

Overwhelmed by grief and tending twin baby daughters, Rosmanda Lapp is without options. She still blames her brother-in-law, Levi, for her husband's accidental death--but she and her aging in-laws need him to keep their farm going. Yet as Levi takes on his responsibilities with a new determination and steadiness, she can't help but regret that she chose his serious-minded brother over him. For Levi is still very much the passionate man she loved--and Rosmanda now has even more reasons to keep him at arm's length . . .

Levi can't blame Rosmanda for staying clear of him. He has mistakes to make up for and must finally do right by his parents. Still, he never got over his brother stealing Rosmanda away. And he can't deny the feelings that even now tempt them back to each other. And when a mistake from her past threatens her reputation, Levi will do whatever it takes to help her--and trust that faith and courage will at last help them claim a future together.

Amazon 


About The Author

Patricia Johns has her Honors BA in English Literature from University of Toronto. She writes from Alberta, Canada, where she lives with her husband and son.  

Website 


My Review

I loved this book, it really was a book to get lost in, and I did.
We all get lost in our heads and over think things, and we all make mistakes, yes, there is not one who doesn't.
If I walk in Rosie's shoes, I don't think I would make it very far, a young mother widow with infant twin daughters. Then we are given a young man who has been a disappointment to his family and community, and most of all to Rosie.
There is a side story here, and you want to shake all of these characters, they are being offered a gift, and no the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence!
The author also shows us a selfish man, he seems like he never grew up, and we hope he comes to his senses and goes home to his wife and family. We also hope that the other characters will find the love they so desperately want, and hold their heads high in their Amish community!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review. 

Silent Shadows (Harbored Secrets #3) by Natalie Walters

Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her. When a series of strange circumstances evolve into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally--her stubborn patient.

Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the undiagnosed disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton's involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer--and more deadly--than they realized.

With this suspenseful new story, Natalie Walters welcomes you once more to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.

Amazon


About The Author

My world revolves around GIJOE and our three adult (or almost adult) children who keep my life anything but predictable. Our boots hit the ground wherever the Army sends us but home is when we’re all together no matter the zipcode. My passion is writing stories where adventure meets love and share my belief that life rooted in purpose is a story worth telling.

Website


My Review

This is the third book in this series, and they can each be read alone, but are each equally good.
I loved the compassion shown here to our fellow man, and the theme continues right to the end.
There were a lot of surprises that unfold with this story, and most I never saw coming, the story kept my attention all the way through. There is even a bit of sweet romance, and we meet some awesome veterans here, and enjoyed the competition between the different branches of the service.
With darling children, football and birthday parties, we are quickly drawn into the everyday life of the folks in Walton Georgia, but don't get too comfortable, you will soon be ducking bullets, and will be absorbed in this story and not see the ending!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

Amish Protector (River Haven #2) by Marta Perry

In River Haven, a mysterious visitor brings two lonely hearts together…
Joanna Kohler treasures the independence her Amish quilt shop provides. She rarely leans on others, yet finding an injured woman on her property makes her grateful for the store owner next door, Noah Troyer. Calm and unflappable, Noah offers support. He also points out the strong resemblance between Joanna and the unconscious stranger…

Noah may admire Joanna, but the bishop’s daughter is out of reach. Though he’s made a good life, Noah still feels shadowed by the shame his father brought on the community. But it’s his duty to aid his lovely neighbor, especially when danger draws close. As he and Joanna unearth answers about her past, Noah will have to confront his own if he’s to have a chance at building a future with the woman he’ll love forever.

Amazon


About The Author

 
Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.

Website


My Review

We are back in the Pennsylvania Amish Community of River Creek, and with this author a mystery is about to unfold. Now this is the second book in this series, and yes, it can be read alone, but once you are hooked you will probably want to read the first!
Can you imagine coming home in the dark and tripping over a body, thankfully not dead, but this is how this new mystery will get you hooked.
When all of the facts unfold, it makes complete sense as to whom the culprit is, but getting there will have you guessing from one to another and maybe back again.
We are also given a tentative romance, and we meet the main character, Joanna’s friends, and I can see another story coming with one of them.
I did love that Joanna owned, with her aunt a quilt shop, and being a quilter, I loved having the story take place here!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher HQN Books, and was not required to give a positive review.