The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey



Series: Coastal Guardians # 1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Released: August 6, 2019

320 pages

About the Book:

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer's boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

When investigative reporter--and Finn's boss's sister--Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she's back, the tug on Finn's heart is strong, but with the risks she's taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can't ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark? 

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟    (5 stars)   

I very quickly became invested in this story. The opening scene had my heart pounding. Gabby is being hunted by a would-be killer and returns to town where she can be surrounded by family and CGIS agents who will be able to protect her from her hunter.  However this is not her choice and resists protection.

So many people are killed in separate incidents in just the first couple chapters alone. These incidents raised a lot of questions that had me trying to figure out how everything connected. Slowly over the course of time answers are provided.

In addition to the mysteries that going on I quickly became invested in the characters themselves. While this story really focuses on Gabby and Finn’s relationship, I found myself enjoying getting to know Rissi the little insights into her background have left me really wanting to know her more. 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley;

opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Links to my other reviews of books by this author: 

   

Submerged - Alaskan Courage #1

Shattered - Alaskan Courage #2

Stranded - Alaskan Courage #3

Silenced - Alaskan Courage #4

Sabotaged - Alaskan Courage #5

Cold Shot - Chesapeake Valor #1

Still Life - Chesapeake Valor #2

Blind Spot - Chesapeake Valor #3

Dead Drift - Chesapeake Valor #4

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Released: May 14, 2019

336 pages

About the Book:

One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟    (2 stars)   

I was really looking forward to this book. The idea of spending time with 3 ladies who worked in a bookstore excited me. What book lover doesn’t want to spend all day in a book store? However this story fell flat for me. I struggled to connect with any of the characters and could not get invested in book. I felt like I was on the outside looking in and being told everything that was happening rather than being there with the characters. The storyline felt choppy and the constant switching between character voices drove me nuts. I struggled with a few of the character relationships the main being Chris and Maddie, it is verbalized that they dislike one another, but I never saw any actual evidence of this. I also didn’t understand Madeline, she is portrayed as being loving and caring always trying to bring out the best in others but she hasn’t spoke to her only brother for 20 years, but then leaves her niece everything she owns. This felt like two different people. I cannot stop reading a book once I’ve started one so I continued through. It wasn’t until about three quarters of the way through that I began to care about the future of these characters. I was pleased with the way the story wrapped for each of the women, especially the improvement of the fractured relationship between Claire and Brittney.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley;

opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Released: June 25, 2019

320 pages

About the Book:

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God". 

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟    (5 stars)   

How have I never read any books by Carrie before? This story sucked me right in and I struggled to put it down. I quickly felt for the McAlister children and had to keep reading to find out if they would be reconnected. It felt like every time Laura got close another obstacle was in her way and she had no idea who she could trust. There were many times throughout I was almost in tears due to the heartbreak that occurred. 

As I got closer to the end I began to wonder how the author would wrap up the story because it felt there was still too many unanswered questions. While I was disappointed that I will have to wait for the next book to get some answers I was pleased that the author did not try to rush up the wrap up. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in this series to find out what happens with Garth and Grace.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah Books through NetGalley;

opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon

Series: Code of Honor # 3

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Revell

Released: Oct. 1, 2019

384 pages

About the Book:

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.

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

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.

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

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. 

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

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.

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟    (4 stars)   

This is the third book in Irene Hannon’s Code of Honor series and features Rick, the last remaining single member of the treehouse gang. Rick discovers blood on his property along with piece of evidence that makes him think someone came to him for help and got into trouble before connecting him. He reaches out to the Phoenix team to locate his friend after a recommendation from another friend. Heather is assigned to his case and even though there is an instant attraction between them, they get off to a rocky start. However, over the course of the investigation they learn to work together and are able to successfully solve the mystery and build a lasting relationship. 

There were quite a few characters and layers to this story that I really had to pay attention to try to figure out how everything fit together. When a few characters were first introduced I was so confused on how they tied into the story. While I knew that it would eventually become obvious how these characters fit, it was still quite before I understood. Overall the story was suspenseful and filled with a touch of romance.  

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley;

opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Links to my reviews of other books by this author: 

Dangerous Illusions - Code of Honor #1

Hidden Peril - Code of Honor #2
Hope Harbour - Hope Harbor #1
Sea Rose Lane - Hope Harbor #2
Sandpiper Cove - Hope Harbor #3

Pelican Point - Hope Harbor # 4
Driftwood Bay - Hope Harbor #5
Buried Secrets - Men of Valor #1
Thin Ice - Men of Valor #2
Tangled Webs - Men of Valor #3